Erdoğan's 'softening' conditions for the CHP! 'From our red lines...'

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke at his party's consultation and evaluation meeting in Kızılcahamam.

"WE WILL NOT COMPROMISE OUR RED LINES"

Erdoğan made statements regarding the 'softening period' that began in politics following his meeting with CHP leader Özgür Özel, saying, "We will not compromise our identity, our stance, and our red lines under the name of softening."

Here are Erdoğan's statements:

As in the 30 meetings we have held to date, we will receive your valuable ideas in a democratic atmosphere. We postponed our meeting last year due to the February 6 earthquakes and the May 14-28 elections. Immediately after the elections, we focused our time and energy on solving our country's urgent problems, primarily healing the wounds of the earthquake. We know very well that the consultation meetings that the AK Party has brought to Turkish politics have different meanings and importance. We will continue our consultation meetings. On July 1 and 2, we will come together with our mayors this time. We will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the 3 elections held in the last year.

In a few months, we will celebrate our 23rd anniversary. The quality that has kept us standing for 23 years is our importance to common sense. Since our establishment, we have brought different thoughts together in the pot of common sense. We have always been open to criticism. We have operated the democratic mechanisms within our party in the most effective way. With this understanding, we have determined the theme of our 31st meeting as 'Turkey's common sense'.

"WE WILL DO WHAT IS NECESSARY REGARDING OUR NATION'S MESSAGE WHEN THE TIME COMES"

We are aware of all the messages the voters have conveyed to us. We are aware of our nation's expectations. We will do what is necessary regarding their messages when the time comes. In this process, we are being meticulous and thorough. While strengthening our bridges of hearts with our nation, we will not give an opportunity to attempts to open breaches in the walls of the AK Party and the People's Alliance. We will neither be a spectator to some people settling their personal scores nor will we continue on our way as if nothing happened.

Politics is the name of the tough struggle given for the country and the nation. In our dictionary, politics has only one purpose. That is to serve the nation. When someone attempted to slap our cheek, we did not turn the other cheek; we gave the response. We never compromised on decency, but we did not leave indecency unanswered either. Kurds were marginalized as a result of the wrong policies implemented in this country for a period. We embraced them all.

"I WILL VISIT ÖZGÜR ÖZEL BEFORE THE FEAST OF SACRIFICE"

After March 31, CHP Chairman Mr. Özgür Özel visited us. I will also pay him a return visit before the Feast of Sacrifice. I expressed that we desire a softening in politics following the visit. If one side of this softening is the government, the other side is the opposition. We are extremely comfortable with this. We have never been on the side of polarization or camp-building. We will not compromise our identity, our principles, and our red lines under the name of softening. We do not expect such a thing from the opposition either.

"OUR NECK IS THINNER THAN A HAIR BEFORE THE LAW"

Our neck is thinner than a hair before the law. The finger cut by Sharia does not ache. We want the opposition to respect the law as well. Let no one expect a soft attitude from us against the sacred values of the nation and against insolence. Let no one expect a soft attitude from us against terror, terrorists, those who support terror, those who cannot distance themselves from terror, and FETÖ members. Let no one expect a soft attitude from us against those who attack Turkey and violate our country's rights.

"BY SOFTENING, WE MEAN RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS"

What we mean by softening in politics is respect for the law, democracy, and human rights. Let no one expect a soft attitude from us against lawlessness. Let no one expect a soft attitude from us against attempts to restrict freedoms.

We expect this from the main opposition and the opposition as well. Our nation expects us, the politicians to whom it gave the authority to represent it at the ballot box, to come together on a common ground and be a remedy for its troubles. When the government and the opposition can develop a common stance against terror, not only will the tension drop, but terror will also completely expire. Addressing some of Turkey's issues with a supra-political approach will already lower the tension.

NEW CONSTITUTION MESSAGE

If we can join hands to replace the coup constitution with a civil, new, inclusive, and libertarian constitution, hopefully, our country's fate will also change. If we can prioritize the interests of Turkey over political identities in defending them abroad and protecting them against others, this will benefit every single member of the 85 million. Politics cannot be done in a narrow space. There is no politics with someone who shakes hands with one hand and holds a dagger in the other.

"GOOD NEWS CONTINUES TO COME IN THE ECONOMY"

Data in the economy continues to come in well. The Turkish economy grew by 5.7 percent in the first quarter. It has grown for 15 consecutive quarters. The share of employees from growth reached a record level with the effect of interim raises made to the minimum wage. Inflation will enter a downward trend from the second half of the year. Our hand has been strengthened with the new regulation on the problem of exorbitant prices and opportunism that fuels the cost of living. We are taking the necessary steps regarding other issues. We will continue to be the voice of the silent masses, not the well-off, and the address for solving the nation's accumulated problems.

FIGHT AGAINST TERROR

We hope that the softening in politics, which increases our nation's hopes, will not be short-lived this time. We do not have to think and talk the same way about every issue. Our political and social differences are our wealth. Our methods and styles may be different. We all want Turkey to grow and reach more prosperity. It is inevitable that we show a common stance against whatever stands in the way of this. The problem that has been a shackle on Turkey's feet for 10 years is terror. We cannot take Turkey further without taking a common stance against terror.

"WE ARE THE COUNTRY THAT SHOWS THE STRONGEST REACTION TO THE MASSACRE IN GAZA"

We are the only country that has shown the strongest reaction to the massacre in Gaza since October 7 and taken concrete measures. We stopped commercial transactions with Israel, first in 54 items and then in all items. The amount of humanitarian aid we sent to our Gazan brothers and sisters exceeded 55 thousand tons. We stand tall by the Palestinian people. I thank our Parliament for the decision it took after the Rafah massacre. We do not hesitate to shout for justice and truth. Even if we remain alone, hopefully, we will not give up this conscientious, honorable, and brave stance.