Ankara: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned ‘Global imperialists’ and played up Turkiye’s might as he unveiled his Islamic-rooted party’s manifesto in next month’s knife-edge parliamentary and presidential polls.

Thousands of exuberant supporters packed sports arena in capital Ankara for announcement of his Justice and Development Party’s blueprint for winning May 14 vote.

Tens of thousands more rallied outside in show of Erdogan’s enduring strength in face his toughest election test. Event was aired live by all Turkish news channels and drowned out coverage of similar rally being held by opposition in western city of Canakkale at same time. 69-year-old leader is confronting public anger over raging economic crisis and government’s delayed response to February earthquake in which more than 50,000 died. Polls show him running neck-and-neck or losing to secular Republican People’s Party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

AKP’s future control of parliament also appears in grave doubt. But Erdogan sounded unfazed as he paced up and down stage with microphone while delivering type of blistering performance that has helped him win more than dozen elections over two decades.

“Turkey has no choice but to be strong, to stay strong and to keep getting stronger so that it does not fall back into pit of political and economic bondage,” he declared.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 12 2023

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