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Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, a close ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, made significant statements on his party's partnership with the president and the government. This comes at a time when opposition media outlets have been reporting tension between his party and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party).
Reiterating his support for President Erdogan, Bahceli said, “No matter what conditions may arise in the future, I am in favor of our president continuing his duty. He should also continue in 2028. If he considers another presidential candidacy, MHP will fully support him.”
When asked about his personal friendship with Erdogan, Bahceli noted: “Rather than friendship, there is a certain level of care and respect that MHP shows toward the office he holds.”
On social media, Bahceli declared, “The roots of social media should be eradicated. If it were up to me, I would shut all of it down within half an hour.”
Touching on the investigations against Republican People’s Party's (CHP) imprisoned presidential candidate and former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, as well as other mayors, Bahceli stressed that indictments should be prepared and shared with the public in October.
He said: “If they are innocent, their acquittal should be ensured. If guilty, they must receive the necessary punishment. Indictments should be prepared in October, presented to the public, and trials should begin. We must enter a process where cases can be concluded swiftly. We have very valuable members of the judiciary who can achieve this, and we must trust them.”
Responding to CHP leadership’s statement that they would “not recognize the court’s decision,” Bahceli said, “I find it wrong. One must respect the law. There is no such thing as not recognizing a court decision. If a court has ruled, they must acknowledge it and work to fulfill its requirements. They need to steer society away from grounds for conflict and toward a structure based on mutual understanding.”
Speaking on the initiative “terror-free Turkiye,” Bahceli said: “The issue of Turkiye is peace and harmony. Everyone has a responsibility. The PKK has undertaken this responsibility, and legal parties in Turkiye are just as responsible as the PKK.”
The MHP leader also called for the release of suspended Mardin Metropolitan Co-Mayor Ahmet Turk and detained Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Ozer, citing their potential contributions to the process.
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