Erdoğan: We see service to justice and nation as only duty
"We see service to justice and the nation as our only duty," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stressed in his speech as speaking at a reception to mark AK Party's 18th anniversary in the capital Ankara on Friday.
- Türkiye
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 10:19 | 23 August 2019
- Modified Date: 11:25 | 23 August 2019
Turkey's ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party has taken a giant leap for establishing democracy and building economy of the country, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Friday.
"We see service to justice and the nation as our only duty," Erdoğan said, speaking at a reception to mark AK Party's 18th anniversary in the capital Ankara.
"Extensive work has been conducted to develop and address the aspects that need to be improved about the presidential system," Erdoğan told party members.
The AK Party launched comprehensive citizen surveys to get a sense of people's opinion regarding the presidential system, which has been implemented following a referendum in 2017.
The president touched upon the congress process, which is expected to prepare the party for the 2023 elections.
"Our goal is to pick whoever the opinion leaders are and strengthen our staff through these opinion leaders," Erdoğan said.
He stressed the party is determined to continue serving the country and the nation by developing its policies and human capital.
Erdoğan said AK Party and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) would continue to collaborate in the coming days.
"We will endeavor to keep the People's Alliance alive and upright."
The ruling party and MHP formed the People's Alliance ahead of the 2018 general elections.
The People's Alliance between the MHP and the AK Party was formed ahead of the June 24 parliamentary and presidential elections. The alliance received a majority in Parliament, while their presidential candidate, Erdoğan, also won the election by 52.6% of the vote.
The parties continued with the alliance in the recent local elections and obtained 51.64% of the votes.
Meanwhile, Erdoğan touched upon the recent dismissal of some pro-PKK People's Democratic Party (HDP) mayors over terror connections.
"Turkey could not stand idly by as the mayors of Diyarbakır, Van, Mardin dismissed over terror charges sent the public funds to the PKK terrorists in Mount Qandil rather than spending it for the people," Erdoğan said.
The mayors of Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van provinces — Adnan Selçuk Mızraklı, Ahmet Türk and Bedia Özgökçe Ertan, respectively — have been suspended for supporting terrorism. The state-appointed governors of the provinces will temporarily replace suspended mayors as trustees.