President urges unity in wake of local Turkish polls

ISTANBUL

In the wake of last month’s local elections, the Turkish people should seek greater "unity and solidarity" and focus on the nation's pressing issues, said Turkey’s president on Friday.

"Leaving the election debates behind, we need to focus on our main agenda, particularly economy and security," Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a Twitter message on Friday.

Erdogan urged "handshaking, embracing each other, and strengthening our unity and solidarity" while maintaining the balance of freedom and security.

Erdogan vowed to put into practice the structural reforms that Turkey needs while resolutely countering terrorism.

"We 82 million [Turkish people] have to unite and act jointly as a TURKEY ALLIANCE on the issues concerning the future of our country, putting aside all our political differences," he said, suggesting that election alliances give way to larger ones.

Erdogan’s remarks came after Ekrem Imamoglu of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) this week officially became mayor of Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city, home to some 16 million people.

Millions of Turkish voters cast their votes nationwide on March 31 in local elections to choose mayors, city council members, and other officials for the next five years.

Despite Imamoglu officially taking office, his election still faces legal challenges from the ruling Justice and Development (AK) party, citing illegalities at the polls.

* Writing by Sibel Morrow