Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) will soon submit reform packages aimed at boosting the country’s democracy and economy, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Wednesday.
Erdoğan vowed that the sweeping reforms would help Turkey in reaching its targets in 2023, the country’s centennial year, Sabah newspaper reported.
The reforms will “very soon’’ be submitted to parliament and “will prepare Turkey for the future in a wide area from basic rights and freedoms to strengthening the climate of economic confidence,” Erdoğan said during an AKP parliamentary group meeting.
The Turkish president in November promised a slate of judicial and economic reforms.Turkey under the 18- year rule of Erdoğan has been condemned by human rights group for the rapid deterioration in human rights, with tens of thousands of people having been jailed, including prominent lawmakers and civil society representatives as part of an ongoing crackdown on dissent.
The packages are also seen as an attempt by Ankara improving relations with the EU, for which Turkey remains an official candidate. Erdoğan in November said Turkey saw itself as “an inseparable part of Europe,’’ in an unexpected U-turn in his view of the bloc.
“Our preparations for our legal and economic reforms, which we see as an inseparable part of change and development, have been shaped to a great extent,” the Turkish president added.
The Turkish president on Wednesday also dismissed reports of an early election as opposition leaders continue to call for snap polls ahead of the scheduled general election set to take place in June 2023.
“There will be no early elections,’’ Erdoğan said. “If you have patience you will wait until June 2023.”
Ahval