New constitution, presidential system high on AKP's agenda

The Justice and Development Party (AKP) has announced its manifesto for the Nov. 1 elections, keeping promises to focus on a new constitution and a presidential system together with bold and assertive pledges on the economy.

While presenting the party?s manifesto Oct. 4, AKP leader and Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu paid respects to President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, the founding leader of the AKP.

?From here, on behalf of you, I offer my respect and affection to our founding leader, chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an,? Davuto?lu said, as he addressed a mass gathering held at the Congresium Hall of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO).

?Eliminating security vacuums which stem from different reasons during the process, protecting the region?s people from the oppression of the tyrannical and cruel organization is among the primary duties of our state,? he said in reference to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers? Party (PKK) which has staged retaliatory attacks against the military since the end of a cease-fire in July following a suicide attack in Suruç that the group blamed on the duplicity of the AKP.

?The architect, coordinator and engine of both the resolution process and of our national unity and fraternity is the AK Parti and will be the AK Parti,? he said.

The renewed conflict has left in tatters a peace process, dubbed the ?resolution process? by governmental officials, which Ankara launched and which Erdo?an recently said ?is in the fridge.?

In its manifesto presented with the motto of ?Turkey?s roadmap to Serenity and Stability,? the AKP reiterated its pledge for a brand new constitution and eventual shift to a presidential system.

?In the face of political instabilities led by the parliamentary...