Davutoglu sets ambitious target for Turkish democracy
Developments contradict claims by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu that Turkey will become a global power in terms of universal democracy over the next nine years.
![Riot police block the main Istiklal street to prevent pro-Kurdish demonstrators from marching, in central Istanbul Riot police block the main Istiklal street to prevent pro-Kurdish demonstrators from marching, in central Istanbul February 15, 2012. Supporters of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) held a protest to mark the 13th anniversary of the capture of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan. REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR2XWA8](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2014/09/RTR2XWA8.jpg/RTR2XWA8.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=qukOTksr)
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is known for making grandiose statements that eventually turn around and haunt him. His “zero problems with neighbors” slogan, which he coined as foreign minister, is a case in point. The slogan was used against him as Turkey’s ties with its neighbors got progressively worse due to serious policy mistakes by his government.
But this has not deterred Davutoglu from making what many consider blatantly exaggerated remarks. Meeting with the editors-in-chief of major Turkish dailies on Sept. 14 in Istanbul, Davutoglu displayed his beliefs once again.