Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan: “No one has to like us”
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has dismissed criticisms of “a dictatorial rule,” adding that no one is forced to like the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) but the ballot box is the “only tool to protect the majority.”
“Of course media, universities and streets are musts for democracy. But, can you call democracy a system only guided by the media and the capital? Where then would you put the silent masses who can only make their voices heard through ballot boxes?” Erdoğan said, speaking at the general assembly of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) July 31.
“In Turkey, the only place where it is possible to intervene in democracy is the ballot box. Any other intervention is illegitimate. Rights can’t be expressed by occupying streets in the mountains or in the cities.This can only hurt democracy,” he said reffering to the Gezi Park protests.
Erdoğan also stated that he is to represent the whole population and not just those who voted AKP. “No one has to like us. I’m saying this with sincerity. There is no such obligation. We are the government of the 76 million, without distinction between those who like us and who do not,” he said.
The prime minister also critisized the commissions collected from consumers as he did previously when he criticized the interest rates. “The interest rate lobby is sharp-witted. They are not content with interest, but also crushed the poor consumers with the commissions,” he said.
Turkey Tribune
