Factbox: How Turkey’s opposition plans to roll back Erdogan’s policies

If elected in a May 14 election, Turkey’s opposition alliance promises to reverse several of President Tayyip Erdogan’s policies, including a return to parliamentary democracy, economic orthodoxy, and a major foreign policy shift.

Last month, six-party Nation Alliance presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu revealed the opposition’s 100-day plan.

Returning to daylight saving time, lowering taxes and insurance, and merit-based public servant hiring were pledges.

Plan details:

Legislative and executive reforms
The coalition promises a return to a “stronger” parliamentary system after the 2018 presidential system change.

It would return the prime minister, which Erdogan eliminated in a 2017 referendum, and declare the presidency “impartial” with no political obligation. Eliminating the president’s veto and decree powers.

The president would serve one seven-year term, remove all political links, and be banned from politics.

Constitutionally, parliament could withdraw from international agreements. It will also control government budget planning.

Public administration would disband presidential boards and offices and shift their functions to relevant ministries.

ECONOMY
The Nation Alliance promised to cut inflation, which was 44% in April, to single digits within two years and stabilize the lira, which has lost 80% of its value against the dollar in five years.

It would protect the central bank’s independence and end ministerial governor selection.

It would draft central bank mission, operational independence, and high-level appointment statutes for parliament.

A government program that protects lira deposits from depreciation would stop.

It planned to minimize government spending by selling state properties, cutting presidential planes, and public servant vehicles.

Reviewing all public-private partnership projects. It would assess the Russian state-owned Akkuyu nuclear station project and renegotiate natural gas contracts to reduce gas import dependence.

Foreign policy
Turkey’s foreign policy would be “Peace at Home, Peace in the World”.

The coalition promises to “work to complete the accession process” for full EU membership and evaluate Turkey’s 2016 refugee accord.

It would rebuild trust with the US and reinstate Turkey in the F-35 combat plane program.

Turkey would maintain relations with Russia “with an understanding that both parties are equal and strengthened by balanced and constructive dialogue.”

Legal reforms
The government denies that Erdogan and his allies utilize the court to repress dissent, but the six opposition parties committed to protect it.

Promotions would consider judges’ willingness to follow Constitutional Court and European Court of Human Rights judgements.

The two courts would penalize judges and prosecutors who commit rights abuses. Courts would rapidly execute high court rulings.

Reforming and splitting the Board of Judges and Prosecutors would increase accountability and openness.

The Constitutional Court, Court of Cassation, and Council of State would be restructured and reelected.

It would prevent Erdogan’s abuse of pre-trial detentions. It would expand free speech and demonstrations.