Erdogan looks to strengthen grip with return to AKP helm
Now that Turkey's ruling party has restored President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as chair, expect a radical shakeup throughout the country in preparation for critical municipal elections to be held in March 2019.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reclaimed leadership of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) after three years, further tightening his grip on power.
In a lengthy speech peppered with Quranic references, Erdogan struck a combative note during the special AKP congress held on May 21 to formally re-elect him as the party boss.
“It is our duty to punish those who engage in treason against their own country, against their own people. Even if he is my father’s son, I will oppose whoever has committed a mistake,” Erdogan said.
He also vowed to continue the fight against Fethullah Gulen, the Pennsylvania-based Islamic cleric who is accused of engineering the failed July 15 coup. The twin campaigns against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the Islamic State are to continue full force. His speech left little doubt that the state of emergency declared after the putsch will remain in place for the foreseeable future or “until calm is completely restored,” as Erdogan put it.
