President Erdogan Outlines Agenda for “Century of Turkey” in Inauguration Speech

Today, Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan revealed the directions of his new term, which will last for a period of 5 years, announcing the start of building the “Century of Turkey” in a speech he delivered at the Presidential Complex in the capital, Ankara, within the framework of his inauguration ceremony, after taking the constitutional oath in Parliament.

Erdogan said, “We will strengthen our democracy with a new, free, civil and comprehensive constitution, and liberate ourselves from the current constitution, which was the fruit of a military coup.”

The president announced what he called “Turkey’s Century” and said, “We will not disappoint our people who have given their confidence to me, our party, and our alliance, and we will continue the path of production and services to Turkey.”

Erdogan stressed, “We will embrace all our people, regardless of their political opinions, origins, beliefs or sects.”

Regarding the opposition, the president said that after every election, “we extend our hand to the opposition, but it refuses to shake hands with us. We hope that it will take a different stance this time,” indicating that he looks forward to the opposition showing a sense of responsibility regarding the integrity of Turkish democracy and to reconcile with the national will, as he put it.

Erdogan was sworn in today at Parliament headquarters for a new 5-year presidential term, after winning the run-off for the presidential elections last Sunday.

In a speech to Parliament, he said, “I, as president, swear by the honor and integrity of the great Turkish nation and its history to preserve the existence and independence of the state… and to abide by the constitution, the rule of law, democracy, the principles and reforms of (Mustafa Kemal) Atatürk, and the principles of the secular republic.”

President Erdogan took the oath after receiving the inauguration document from the Interim Speaker of Parliament, Devlet Bahceli.

Erdogan won the run-off for the presidential elections, on May 28, with 52.2% of the vote, and his victory was contrary to the expectations of most opinion polls, despite the cost of living crisis that was seen as having weakened his chances of winning.

After his inauguration, the President went to visit the mausoleum of the founder of the Republic (Ataturk), and later went to the Presidential Complex to participate in the commencement ceremony.

Anatolia reported that upon Erdogan’s arrival at the first gate of the complex, the President’s convoy was joined by the Knights of Ceremony unit, and 101 artillery shells were fired, and at the same time 101 artillery shells were fired at the headquarters of the land, air and naval forces.

The Presidential Symphony Orchestra, the Turkish Traditional Music Ensemble, and the Military Music Ensemble of the Armed Forces participated in the ceremony.

Presidents of 21 countries also participated in the ceremony, and President Erdogan will hold a dinner in honor of his guests at the Cankaya Palace in Ankara this evening.

It is expected that the Turkish president will announce the new cabinet formation after the dinner banquet, amid expectations that the new formation will witness a change in his unconventional economic policy.