Erdogan responds to new alliance discussions: ‘This is not a detente’
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visits MHP President Devlet Bahceli at his home in Ankara, Türkiye, December 13, 2022. (AA Photo)
In response to rumors of discord within the People’s Alliance, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan abd the Chairman of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) expressed his support for Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli.
Addressing Republican People’s Party (CHP), the main opposition in Türkiye, leader Ozgur Ozel, Erdogan remarked, “We sought to elevate political discourse by paying a return visit. Unfortunately, our gesture wasn’t well received. Had the CHP leader been able to appreciate our visit, there would have been no need for such remarks.”
Ozel’s comments followed Bahceli’s statements about a potential wide-ranging alliance between the AK Party and CHP. Ozel recently stated that he invites Bahceli to join their allience if he is not in People’s Alliance. “Let him join the Türkiye Alliance. But Mr. Bahceli shouldn’t take the easy way out. No one should propose alliances to us,” he added.
‘This is not a detente’
Returning from trips to Spain and Italy, Erdogan addressed the situation, saying, “We aimed to introduce politeness and civility into politics through this return visit. However, those who fail to grasp this politeness held a press conference in Istanbul, clearly influenced by certain factions. It seems they received endorsement from some quarters. These actions are neither correct nor beneficial; they do not aid the process. This isn’t about detente or initiating a new phase in politics.”
Erdogan further commented, “It appears our return visit wasn’t well received by the CHP leader. If he could have appreciated our visit, there would have been no need for such a statement. Given such a statement, I believe it is inappropriate to respond as the President and as the head of the AK Party. Regardless of their actions, we will uphold our stance and solidarity within the People’s Alliance. Let me also state this: The People’s Alliance is unlike the six-party coalition. Those in the six-party coalition can continue as they wish.”
