Turkey: Ak Party Unveils Manifesto For Nov. 1 Election

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has unveiled the election manifesto of his Justice and Development (AK) Party ahead of Turkey's Nov.1 polls.



"Above all, the AK Party aims to maintain peace and stability in Turkey in this election campaign," he told a televised launch in the capital city of Ankara on Sunday.



Davutoglu introduced the AK Party's main campaign themes, such as state protection of human dignity and democracy, equal citizenship, the drafting of a new constitution plus measures towards a people-oriented economic development.



"The AK Party manifesto is a reformist manifesto which cares about human dignity. It [the manifesto] is inclusive and aims at the growth of the Turkish economy, "Davutoglu said.



Turkey is heading for an early general election after no party succeeded in creating a ruling coalition after the June 7 poll.



The main opposition the Republican People's Party (CHP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and People's Democratic Party (HDP) have already announced their election programs.



Davutoglu stressed the need for a new civilian constitution in lieu of the post-1980 constitution currently in force, saying that a new healthier political system requires a new constitution.



As expected, Davutoglu revealed the other significant part of the election manifesto as the government's fight against any kind of terrorism, the PKK and the so-called 'parallel state'.



Stating that the AK Party will work to make peace sovereign on Turkish land, Davutoglu said: "We will never give up until terrorists bury their guns."



Turkey has been hit by a wave of attacks since the Suruc bombing on July 20.



Since then, the PKK – which is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the EU and the U.S. – renewed its armed attacks mostly in the country's eastern and southeastern regions, which resulted in derailment of a fragile cease-fire which began early 2013 dubbed the 'solution process'.



Davutoglu also stressed that no parallel organization must be allowed to emanate from within Turkish bureaucracy – a reference to a purported group of Turkish bureaucrats and senior officials embedded in the country's institutions, including the judiciary and police, who are allegedly trying to undermine the government.



The manifesto announced by Davutoglu also brings forth equal citizenship as a "principle of human dignity".



"No Turkish citizen will not be exposed to any discrimination based on people's faith, color, gender, language, race, political view, philosophical mindset or lifestyle," Davutoglu said.



Economic growth and wage increases were also promised in the AK Party manifesto.



Davutoglu said that, if elected, they would raise the monthly minimum wage to 1,300 Turkish liras (approx. $430). The current minimum wage is 1,000 Turkish liras net (approx. $334) per month.



More than 54 million people are eligible to vote in Turkey's Nov. 1 general election.



Turkish nationals living abroad will begin casting their votes between Oct. 8-25 at embassies, consulates and border gates.



In Turkey, the elections will start on Nov.1, at 8 a.m. (0600GMT) and finish at 5 p.m. . - Ankara