Erdoğan issues message for Eid al-Fitr, says elections would 'guarantee' democracy

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on June 14 issued a message ahead of the Muslim holiday Eid al-Fitr, in which he said Turkey’s upcoming presidential elections would “guarantee” democracy.

In his message, Erdoğan referred to “democratic and economic strides” that Turkey has made over the past 16 years under his ruling Justice and Development (AKP).

He also hailed the new presidential system narrowly approved in a controversial April 2017 referendum marred by allegations of fraud, saying it would “benefit the Turkish nation and people.”

In his own Eid message, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said the presidential system will “initiate a new term in Turkish political history.”

Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet) head Ali Erbaş also extended Eid greetings, voicing his wish for “prayers for peace and happiness around the world.”

Erbaş said religious days like Eid al-Fitr “maintain and strengthen unity, solidarity, and fraternity.”