Turkish President, Recep Erdogan vowed on Friday to uphold Mustafa Ataturk’s legacy, in a rare statement of praise for the founder of the secular Turkish republic.
Erdogan accused the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), established by Ataturk, of exploiting its founder’s memory.
“We have to save Ataturk and his memory from the despotism of these abusers,” Erdogan said in Ankara, on the 79th anniversary of Ataturk’s death.
Ataturk established the CHP and served as its leader until his death in 1938.
“We will not consent to the CHP taking Ataturk away from our people,” Erdogan stressed.
Erdogan’s opponents blame the president for eroding the fundamental principles of secularism anchored in the Turkish constitution while encouraging the Islamisation of society.
Critics consider his remarks on Ataturk on Friday as a push to appeal to Turkey’s secular voter base ahead of local, parliamentary and presidential elections set to take place in 2019. (dpa/NAN)
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