President Erdoğan's response to the opposition: The Syria issue has become a litmus test.

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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated regarding the March 31 Local Elections, "We consider the last local elections as a road accident."

Erdoğan spoke at the 8th Ordinary Provincial Congress of his party in Kocaeli. Referring to the results of the local elections held on March 31, Erdoğan evaluated the results as a road accident. Erdoğan said, "We consider the last local elections as a road accident."

Erdoğan also stated, "We are making the necessary corrections at every level, and we will continue to do so. I have no doubt that we will exceed the 50% threshold in the upcoming elections. As long as we remember our mission and open our arms to our nation."

"THEY STEER WHERE THE WIND BLOWS"

Erdoğan's statements are as follows:

The AK Party is an organization founded, nurtured, and brought to this point by those who have a cause, a concern, and a dream beyond being a political party. Those who see the AK Party as a classical party are gravely mistaken. The end of these deviations is to first become alienated from their own history and nation, and then to become enemies. They engage in politics in this country, eat the bread of this state, but openly harbor enmity towards the country and the nation. They look at events through the lens of other capitals, as if wielding their swords. They have completely severed their ties with the homeland. They steer where the wind blows. They have no principles or ideals for which they would stand up.

"OUR PARTY WILL NOT BE LIKE THIS"

The party established by the nation and brought to this point by the nation will never be like this. We will do whatever it takes to ensure it does not become so. We will hold ourselves accountable before the public does. We will not be afraid to ask the question of where we have erred. We will not blame others for shortcomings and sins; we will follow the path of truth and righteousness. The cause of the AK Party is a civilization cause. This cause is to build a great and powerful Turkey. This cause is the cause of justice, freedom, and living honorably together. We will not squander this blessed cause like loose change for the sake of daily politics, as some do.