Erdogan outlines potential for Turkey, vows new constitution

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday laid out his eyesight for Turkey in the upcoming century, promising a new constitution that would assure the legal rights and freedoms of citizens.

Erdogan reported, nevertheless, that in the meantime his government would suggest constitutional amendments that would safeguard the legal rights of women seeking to put on Islamic-model headscarves but also shield family values from what he called the “threat of perverted currents.” It was a reference to planned amendments that could curb LGBTQ legal rights and discourage similar-sexual intercourse relationships.

Erdogan’s speech outlined ideas for Turkey with a single year to go for celebrations marking the centenary of the establishment of the republic next the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. His speech was also witnessed as a campaign manifesto as the state heads towards parliamentary and presidential elections in June.

The autocratic politician who has led Turkey for the past two decades — initially as key minister and as president given that 2014 — is in search of a new 5-yr time period.

Erdogan’s eyesight for Turkey includes generating the state a person of the world’s top rated 10 nations in “politics, economic climate, know-how, military and diplomacy” and lessening electricity dependence on international nations.

He also vowed to go ahead with controversial plans to build a canal cutting by way of Istanbul. The government insists the canal will simplicity marine targeted visitors in the Bosporus Strait but environmental groups dread the project will result in ecologic harm.

“We want to make a solid begin to the new century of the Republic,” explained Erdogan.

Noting that Turkey’s structure was drafted subsequent a military services coup in 1980, Erdogan promised a new structure that would strengthen “the rule of regulation, pluralism, justice and equality.”

“The shelf lifestyle of the constitution of the Sept. 12 (1980) coup has currently expired,” Erdogan said.

The Turkish chief stated draft constitutional amendments to be submitted upcoming week would make sure “the education and learning and employment rights of all our women and sisters whether they don headscarves or are uncovered, as effectively as protect our spouse and children establishment from the danger of perverted currents.”

Opinion polls indicate that Erdogan has misplaced some help amid higher inflation functioning at more than 83%. Observers believe that Erdogan has been using an anti-LGBTQ stance to unite his conservative assistance foundation.

Erdogan also reiterated ideas — initially proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin — for Turkey to come to be an strength hub to deliver Russian gas to European nations. Analysts say the prepare is unlikely to materialize, provided European countries’ initiatives to lessen their reliance on Russian electrical power.