Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's New Year's message followed the usual patterns we see after the war in Gaza. “Obviously,” he said, “we maintain hope for a better future, but we enter this year with bitterness because of the unpleasant events, both in our region and in the world.
Erdoğan said, among other things, "In order to have a better world, the so-called democratic countries must stop supporting terrorist organisations, show a common stance on the slaughter of innocents in Gaza, and make sincere efforts to end the Ukraine-Russia war."
"We will not be able to feel what peace means until it prevails in our region and the world," emphasised the Turkish praised, who praised his country's peace efforts in the war zones.
Regarding Turkey itself, he said: "Our Republic is completing its first century, marching into a new era, which we call the 'Century of Turkey', aiming for higher goals."
He admitted that Turkey constantly faces new challenges, problems and setbacks, from terrorism to economic pitfalls. The reason, he said, is our goal for a "great and strong Turkey".
Return Istanbul to AKP
“As long as we as a country continue to use our own capabilities, this fight will become even tougher because the development of Turkey means cancelling the plans which roam freely in our immediate environment," emphasised Erdoğan, who, as of today, is already facing the challenge of the crucial local elections on March 31.
After all, Erdoğan's highest priority is returning Istanbul to AKP. "Whoever wins Istanbul wins Turkey," said the Turkish president, who now seems determined to make it happen in the March elections.
He has already instructed his party's provincial and regional organisations, youth, women's organisations and MPs to all work together to take back Istanbul.
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