Saturday June 3, 2023
Ankara (HOL) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took a historic oath of office to serve an unprecedented third term on Saturday, embarking on what he proclaimed as the "Century of Türkiye" in a politically and economically tumultuous period.
President Erdogan, who clinched a runoff victory with 52.2% of the vote despite economic challenges and a bitter election battle, utilized his inaugural address to rally the nation's unity and reconciliation. "We will embrace all 85 million people, regardless of their political views, origins, or sect," he affirmed. Erdogan emphasized the need for unity and solidarity, symbolizing Turkey's citizens as "bricks of a wall" that needed to join together in this critical time.
The inauguration ceremony saw participation from numerous high-ranking global officials, including NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and later included a lavish dinner with 21 heads of state, 13 prime ministers, and various high-ranking officials from countries like the United States and China.
As he embarks on his third term, Erdogan faces the daunting challenge of navigating an economic crisis marked by high inflation and a devalued lira. Speculation is mounting regarding a potential shift in his economic approach, with former Finance Minister and renowned economist Mehmet Simsek tipped to play a pivotal role in Erdogan's newly formed Cabinet.
Erdogan also pledged constitutional reform to save the nation's democracy from its current constitution, a relic of the 1980 coup. He outlined an intent to strengthen it with a "libertarian, civilian, and inclusive" framework while vowing to continue to develop the nation through investment, employment, production, exports, and a current account surplus.
The President, mindful of his international responsibilities, is slated to hold bilateral talks with NATO's Stoltenberg over Sweden's contested membership in the military alliance, as Ankara's approval remains contingent on Stockholm's extradition of alleged Kurdish "terrorists."
Erdogan has inherited the challenging task of managing the aftermath of a devastating series of earthquakes that claimed 50,000 lives and destroyed entire cities in southeastern Turkey earlier this year. Yet, he optimistically declared the "Century of Türkiye," promising to work diligently to protect the glory and honour of the Republic, promote its reputation, and glorify its name in the world for the next five years.