The Turkish opposition alliance has pledged to repeal many of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's policies if it wins the elections expected to take place on May 14.
The Turkish opposition alliance has committed to reversing numerous policies of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan if it secures victory in the elections scheduled for May 14, and on Monday, it selected the leader of the Republican People's Party, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, as its presidential candidate. The "Nation Alliance," composed of six parties, promises a return to parliamentary democracy, a rollback of unconventional economic policies, and a significant shift in foreign policy. The following are details of their political program:
* **Legislative and Executive Reforms**
The main commitment from the partners of the Nation Alliance is to restore Turkey to a parliamentary system, which they state will be "stronger" than the parliamentary system that was in place before the transition to the current presidential system in 2018. The alliance plans to reinstate the position of Prime Minister, which Erdoğan abolished via a public referendum in 2017. They also pledge to turn the presidency into a "neutral" position that lacks political responsibilities. Among their promises is the cancellation of the president's right to veto legislation and issue decrees. The president, who will sever ties with any political party, will serve one seven-year term and will be barred from engaging in political activity afterward. The constitution will grant parliament the authority to revoke international agreements and will empower it further in governmental budget planning. In terms of public administration, presidential bodies and offices will be abolished, transferring their duties to the relevant ministries.
* **Economy**
The Nation Alliance vows to reduce inflation, which reached 55 percent in February, to single digits within two years and to restore stability to the Turkish lira, which has lost 80 percent of its value over the past five years. The partners of the alliance will ensure the independence of the central bank and reverse measures that allow the Cabinet to appoint the governor. The alliance will draft legislation permitting parliament to pass laws related to the bank's mission, operational independence, and the appointment of senior officials. The alliance also commits to ending policies that allow interference in flexible exchange rates, including a government plan to protect lira deposits from currency devaluation. The parties in the alliance will reduce government spending by cutting down the number of aircraft used by the presidency, the number of vehicles employed by civil servants, and by selling some state-owned buildings. They will review all projects executed under public-private partnerships. The alliance will reassess the "Akkuyu" nuclear power plant project and renegotiate natural gas contracts, stating that this step will reduce the risks of dependence on specific countries for gas imports.
* **Foreign Policy**
The opposition bloc will adopt the slogan "Peace at Home, Peace in the World" as the cornerstone of Turkey's foreign policy. While the alliance promises to "complete the accession process" to the European Union and attain full membership, it also stated that it will review the refugee agreement Turkey signed with the EU in 2016. The alliance partners have pledged to establish relations with the United States based on mutual trust and to reintegrate Turkey into the F-35 fighter jet program. They claim that Turkey will maintain relations with Russia "on the basis of equality between both parties, and strengthen ties through balanced and constructive dialogue."
* **Legal Reforms**
The six parties have committed to ensuring judicial independence, which is currently viewed as being under the control of Erdoğan and his allies. The readiness of judges to adhere to the rulings of the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights will be taken into consideration during promotions. Judges and prosecutors responsible for human rights violations that lead to fines for Turkey in these courts will be compelled to pay those fines. Measures will be taken to ensure that courts quickly execute the rulings issued by these courts, which are at the top of the judicial hierarchy in Turkey. They have pledged to reform the Council of Judges and Prosecutors by dividing it into two separate entities that enjoy greater transparency and accountability. The alliance will also reform the system and processes for electing members of higher courts in the judiciary, such as the Constitutional Court and the Court of Cassation. The parties promised to ensure that pre-trial detention is the exception, a practice critics say has been misused during Erdoğan's tenure. The alliance also committed to enhancing freedom of expression and the right to organize protests.
