The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has announced a long-term strategy pertaining to the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the republic and is aiming to “become a ‘leader country’” -- one of the top 10 countries of the world in terms of economic development, contemporary values and is globally influential by 2023.

* Five basic projects: In the election manifesto, titled “National Stance and Determination Document,” announced by MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli, it is stated that the following five basic projects would immediately be implemented during the MHP government: The State and Administration Reform in Social Rehabilitation and Transformation; The Productive Economy Program; The Anti-corruption Project; The Anti-unemployment Project; and The Restitution of Social Ethics and Quality Project.

* Counterterrorism: Political determination to uproot terrorism will be shown; legal measures needed for the struggle against terrorism will be promptly taken; state authority will be established in the areas where terrorism itself nests; the people of the region will be saved from threats and pressures; the sources of terrorism will be uprooted; socio-economic problems which nurture terrorism will be radically and permanently solved; a comprehensive economic and social development project will be implemented with necessary financial supports and resources; effective measures will be taken with respect to international dimensions, political, logistic, and financial supports of terrorism; the country’s rights arising from international law will be employed with determination against the executives and militants of the terrorist organization hiding in northern Iraq; security of Turkey will not be left to permissions or initiatives from third countries, and political and military measures will be taken without hesitation; terrorism crimes will never be provided clemency; an all-out fight against city criminality, illegality, and offense; the police will be favored, and close cooperation between units fighting against crimes will be ensured.

* Legislation: Clean politics and clean government will be swiftly established; parliamentary immunity except pertaining to acts committed in an official capacity as a deputy will be abolished; unfair income from corruption will be confiscated irrespective of lapse of time; the political ethics law will be promptly enacted; the number of ministries will be decreased to 21.

* Economy: An economy ministry will be established; a fair wage system will be implemented in state institutions; an unemployment grant amounting to half of minimum wage (about YTL 200) will be paid to unemployed family heads; the tax burden of the poor will be lowered, the minimum wage will not be taxed; retirees will be paid one extra salary in September annually; employment will be encouraged; loans of farmers will be restructured; Provincial Investment and Development Offices will be established for the strengthening of private sector; more financing opportunities will be provided for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs); and the agricultural sector will be modernized.

* Education: Compulsory basic education period will be increased to 12 years and will also include pre-school education; education in a foreign language will not be allowed in any level of education; the ÖSS will be abolished and will be replaced with a Maturation Exam

* EU: The relations with the EU will not be regarded as a matter of identity or fate for Turkey; Turkey is not obliged to be dragged behind the EU.

Labels: elections2007, MHP