We can't hand the country over to those wandering around idly, Erdoğan says on elections

President Erdoğan has commented on the 2023 elections, saying that the AKP can't "hand the country over to those wandering around idly." He also told AKP members to go out on the streets and talk to people.

Thursday July 08 2021 03:05 pm

Duvar English

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) can't "hand the country over to those wandering around idly," as he commented on the 2023 elections.

Addressing AKP members, Erdoğan said that winning the elections is crucial "in order to become one of the most powerful countries in the world."

"The 2023 elections have become very important. Those against us are also aware of this," Erdoğan said on July 8.

"The opposition's hate and enmity filled discourse that's becoming uglier by day shows their panic for the 2023 elections. We have two years until the elections. We have no option to work hard and to win," he added.

Erdoğan noted that AKP members will go out on the streets and talk to people to prepare reports.

"With our efforts, we won't hand the country over to those wandering around idly," he said.

While the elections are scheduled for June 2023, the opposition has been calling on the government to head to snap polls. Support for Erdoğan and the AKP has dramatically decreased, various surveys show.

Erdoğan on July 8 also responded to main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's remarks on selling presidential palaces and planes, asking, "How will you travel around the world if you sell the planes?"

Kılıçdaroğlu on July 1 vowed to end Erdoğan and his AKP's excessive spending when he comes to power and to sell unnecessary planes towards that goal.