Addressing citizens in Kütahya, Erdoğan said: “Our country has been going through a rough period which has been going on since the Gezi incidents, further sharpened with the July 15, become all the more blatant since 2018, and deepened with the regional and global crises. Thank Allah, no matter what obstacles come in our way, we have managed to make our country proceed towards its goals without deviating from the route of democracy and development.”

Stressing that no opportunity shall ever be given to those seeking to undermine Türkiye’s security, stability and achievements, Erdoğan said: “Our country has been going through a rough period which has been going on since the Gezi incidents, further sharpened with the July 15, become all the more blatant since 2018, and deepened with the regional and global crises. Thank Allah, no matter what obstacles come in our way, we have managed to make our country proceed towards its goals without deviating from the route of democracy and development.”

Drawing attention to the difficulties that have had to be overcome in the meantime, Erdoğan stated: “While eliminating the attacks on our national unity, we also put up a resistance against putschists at the cost of our lives and grappled with terrorists coming at our borders. We have buried them in Cudi, Tendürek, Bestler Dereler and Gabar. They couldn’t find any place for themselves inside Türkiye. Without doubt, we have also fought against the high cost of living, which has the biggest impact on retirees in our society. Even though we have raised the retirement pensions to the levels beyond comparison with periods before us, we desire deep inside our hearts yet better life standards for our citizens.”

Pointing out that economy is a matter of calculation, Erdoğan noted: “If you cannot maintain the balance between the state's revenues and expenses, it would be inevitable for you to fall into the grip of political, social and economic turmoil, just like in the 1970s and 1990s. Unlike some other countries, Türkiye does not own any unpaid sources of income. We, together with the state and the nation, have to work and earn every penny we spend.” (ILKHA)