Aydin to Al Mayadeen: Current Turkish gov. behind domestic downturn

Turkey’s Felicity Party candidate for the mayoral election in Greater Istanbul, Birol Aydin, told Al Mayadeen that the party’s foreign policy vision is “wide” and that it “seeks good relations with all European countries” while maintaining the nation’s freedom. 

The candidate said that Turkey had established relations with all nations, however, poor foreign policy with neighboring countries has worsened the country’s international standing. 

He explained that the current government is responsible for the domestic downturn, adding that the refugee crisis in Turkey is but one of many other problems that the country faces. 

Aydin stressed that the international community’s silence, as well as Ankara’s, on the Gaza Strip, has had a significant internal impact.

The candidate shut down claims of foreign mediation in upcoming Turkish municipal elections, confirming that the democratic process is complete and dynamic. Aydin criticized the general perception that elections in the country, specifically in Istanbul, are a face-off between the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Republican People’s Party (CHP), emphasizing that his party wants to “save Istanbul from this concept.”

Birol confirmed that Felicity Party candidates include women who are highly capable of influencing the political scene in Turkey, pointing to the fact that Felicity is running alongside the Ahmet Davutoglu-led Future Party in several municipalities across Turkey.

Turkey’s local elections are set for March 31 this year, in which 1,392 will cede or maintain the positions as mayors of Turkey’s cities and towns.