Re-election in Istanbul is a matter of survival, MHP leader says

ANTALYA

A re-vote in Istanbul is a matter of “survival,” Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli said on April 21.

“Manipulation in the Istanbul elections is the first stage of a long-term filthy scenario,” Bahçeli said at a meeting of his party’s local chiefs.

The Supreme Election Board (YSK) should not remain silent toward “irregularities in ballot boxes in Istanbul,” he said, adding that the YSK should properly examine the AKP’s objection to the Istanbul polls.

If the FETÖ links are determined in the election process, and the YSK does not rule for re-election in the province, then the election watchdog will have to “give account to the martyrs of the July 15 [2016] coup attempt.”

An attempt by the mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Ekrem İmamoğlu, for an examination of the electronic database and infrastructure in the municipality should not be regarded as a sole administrative step, he stated, welcoming a court’s preclusion on the mayor’s decision.

“The problematic and suspected alliance led by the CHP in three big cities should be analyzed in all aspects of course. No need for pessimism,” he said and added that the transfer of Istanbul, Ankara, and İzmir metropolitan municipalities to the administration of the CHP should not be regarded as mistrust to the presidential government system.

The results the CHP has achieved should not be” exaggerated,” he said, adding that the total votes the opposition received was “far behind” those obtained by his party and the AKP’s alliance.

The MHP respects the nation’s will, Bahçeli stated, noting that his party has taken “necessary lessons.”

Recalling President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s remarks last week when he called on a “Turkey Alliance” to be embraced to solve the country’s problems, Bahçeli said the president’s remarks raised question marks.

“Talking about ‘Turkey’s Alliance’ has raised question marks. A country-based, geography-based political alliance is not possible,” he said. “Our alliance is with the republic. Our alliance is with our brothers in the AKP who are patriots,” Bahçeli added.

Echoing Erdoğan’s call, he said: “It’s time to cool off the tension.”

“Cool off the hot iron. But do not forget the malice and betrayal. Let’s not exclude anyone, let’s not isolate anyone. We are O.K. with this.”

He questioned how they will “find a common ground” with dangerous circles and said Turkey is exposed to a serious “plot.” Elaborating on this “plot,” Bahçeli said members of the PKK and FETÖ, “which were strengthened in the local elections,” will target Turkey if the “People’s Alliance does not survive.”