Reelected Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told thousands of supporters in Ankara on Sunday that the victory by his AKP party was a victory for Gaza and Palestine.

“Gaza and Palestine have also won,” Erdogan told well-wishers.
He added, “Believe me, Sarajevo won today as much as Istanbul, Beirut won as much as Izmir, Damascus won as much as Ankara, Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin, the West Bank, Beit-Ul-Moqaddas won as much as Diyarbakir.”
According to Today’s Zaman newspaper, Turkey has taken another step forward on the thorny road toward democratization with the general elections on Sunday having brought the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) to power for the third time.
The AK Party's landslide victory, grabbing 49.9 percent of the vote, has displayed that citizens voted for stability and for the continuation of democratic reforms. This is despite the fact that AK Party leader and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been increasingly criticized for acting in a more totalitarian fashion and displaying autocratic instincts.
But Erdogan attempted to ease those concerns during his traditional balcony speech from his party headquarters in Ankara late Sunday. He gave conciliatory messages, promising that the new government will respect and protect different ways of life and belief.
“No one should have any doubt. Our people will live in peace and justice,” Erdogan said.
The AK Party deserves credit for pioneering historic reforms, including reducing the political role of the meddlesome military. It is under the AK Party's rule that the country's economy grew, while the poor enjoy greater access to the healthcare system and the mass housing system enables lower income groups to own houses.
One will live with dreams. And it is the task of the politicians in general and the ruling party in particular to outline policies that will help citizens' dreams become a reality. In this sense, the AK Party has proven that the citizens of Turkey can turn their dreams into reality if there is political guidance in the right direction.
Erdogan during his election campaign pledged to start grand projects that he described as crazy projects. This visionary approach differs from those of the other political parties, who displayed narrow policies.
(Source: agencies)