AKP founding member speaks out on July 15: 'There are questions that need to be answered'

Responding to questions from journalist Şule Aydın on the Onlar TV YouTube channel, Hüseyin Çelik stated that the future of the AK Party will become uncertain after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Citing examples from previous eras, Çelik underscored that parties often lose power after their charismatic leaders depart. "After Demirel, the DYP lost its sustainability, as did the Motherland Party after Özal. The AK Party could face a similar fate after Erdoğan," he said.

Çelik noted that while the AK Party would not disappear overnight, its effectiveness could diminish over time.

"THE AK PARTY IS THE PARTY MOST IDENTIFIED WITH ITS LEADER"

Pointing out that the AK Party is strongly identified with President Erdoğan, Hüseyin Çelik stated, "No party has identified with its leader as much as the AK Party. No matter which person—A, B, C, or D—you bring to lead the AK Party after Mr. Erdoğan, it will not hold."

With this assessment, he emphasized that the party's current power stems largely from Erdoğan's persona. According to Çelik, even if different names come into the party leadership, it will be quite difficult to maintain the same impact.

JULY 15 QUESTIONS AND ÇELİK’S REACTION

Answering journalist Şule Aydın's question, "As a founder of the party, is July 15 a closed chapter for you with all questions answered?" Hüseyin Çelik stated that the matter is not closed for him and that significant question marks remain.

Çelik made the following statement:

"Of course not. The two important interlocutors of this matter were the Chief of General Staff at the time, Mr. Hulusi Akar, and the head of the MIT at the time, Mr. Hakan Fidan. Why did these people not come and give testimony? For example, at 10 in the morning, a major goes to the MIT and makes a report. Then the MIT undersecretary goes to Mr. Hulusi Akar. Why didn't you prevent this coup when you could have prevented it by that hour?"

Çelik argued that the process has not been fully clarified and that certain individuals need to provide explanations.

"THERE ARE QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE ANSWERED"

The former minister alleged that the then-Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar and the then-head of the MIT Hakan Fidan did not provide sufficient information to the public regarding the July 15 process. Çelik stated that the event must be brought to light in all its dimensions; otherwise, similar debates will continue.

News Source: 12punto