Erdogan Holds Massive Rally in Istanbul, Asserts Readiness for Fight.
President Erdogan announced that 1.7 million people attended the AKP rally in Istanbul on May 7. He pledged to increase the welfare share and add the inflation difference to the salaries of civil servants in July. Erdogan emphasized the AKP's achievements in the past 21 years, including tripling the national income, providing jobs and food to 21 million people, and building 13.5 million new houses. He also stated that the AKP owes its success to the efforts and sincerity of all the people who have supported them. Erdogan pledged to build the "Century of Turkey" together with the nation.