Turkish Deputy PM Arınç mulls retirement from politics

ISTANBUL

“I have repeatedly said that I need to put an end to active politics,” Deputy PM Bülent Arınç told reporters Nov 14 in Istanbul. AA photo

Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç has said he is very close to drawing the curtains on his political life, saying that every politician has to call it quits at some point.

“I have repeatedly said that I need to put an end to active politics. Every politician should at some point leave active politics, or at least have a break,” Arınç told reporters Nov. 14 in Istanbul.

“For the last three to four years, I have praised the three-term rule in our party,” he added, referring to the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) regulations that say party members cannot hold their posts for more than three terms.

The deputy prime minister said he wanted to spend more time with his grandchildren, but this was not the only reason for his decision. “Maybe I will find time to rest, refresh, read more and spend more time on social issues … When I put an end to active politics, and if Allah allows me time, of course I would love to spend time with my grandchildren, maybe help them with their education,” Arınç said.

When asked about the recent rift between himself and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, which stemmed from their different views of the recent mixed-sex student housing controversy, Arınç said he had no problems with any politicians.

He said he would be accompanying Erdoğan in the much-anticipated Diyarbakır meeting over the weekend.

“The prime minister has invited me, and God willing we will go together. The people of that region are people we love very much. We will be together with those beautiful people in central Diyarbakır, and its districts Ergani and Bismil. I hope it will be a useful trip,” he added.

Prime Minister Erdoğan will attend ceremonies in Diyarbakır and will meet Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Massoud Barzani.

Famous Kurdish singers İbrahim Tatlıses and Şivan Perwer are also expected to give a joint concert in the southeastern province as part of the events. Perwer has been away from Turkey for 37 years.