İYİ Party Chairman Dervişoğlu's criticism and praise for TÜSİAD: 'Even if they have remained silent'

Visiting the Kırşehir Ahi Evran Museum and meeting with tradespeople at the Artisans' Bazaar within the Ahi Evran Complex, Dervişoğlu made purchases from several businesses.

Later visiting the Kırşehir Pensioners' Association, Dervişoğlu spoke about the low level of pensions and the difficulty of making ends meet, stating that improvements must be made as soon as possible.

Subsequently, Dervişoğlu met with members of the City Council to listen to the city's problems and demands.

Dervişoğlu then proceeded with his entourage to the Neşet Ertaş Culture and Arts Center, where his party's Extended Provincial Council Meeting was to be held.

In his speech at the meeting, İYİ Party Chairman Dervişoğlu stated that everywhere he goes, he says, "Turkey must speak; a speaking Turkey is what we need most at this time."

"If Turkey speaks, democracy functions; if democracy functions, the judiciary and the rule of law function, there is trust, investment comes, and prosperity grows," said Dervişoğlu. "If prosperity grows, our pensioners and millions of workers earning minimum wage will be saved from needing charity. TÜSİAD is an association formed by our businesspeople who provide jobs and bread to millions of workers in this country. The assessments and warnings they make regarding the state and future of the country are also valuable. Democracy is not something that will live and be kept alive only to the extent that the government allows. Non-governmental organizations should also be able to share their ideas freely when the time and place are right."

Touching upon TÜSİAD's statements, Dervişoğlu noted the following:

"Let me remind you clearly here: liars fear the truth the most; even if they have remained silent on many developments, the executives of TÜSİAD have voiced the truth today," I say may the same be true for the presidents and executives of other non-governmental organizations. What is the justification for the investigation? They stated that they opened an investigation on the grounds of 'attempting to influence judicial proceedings'.

The investigations you have opened and the decisions you have made are not fair. What crime of influencing a fair trial are you talking about? Another justification is stated as 'publicly disseminating false information'. I did not see any part of these statements that was contrary to the truth."

Dervişoğlu said, "If saying all of this entails a crime, then I am calling out: I am also committing that crime on behalf of the Turkish nation. Do whatever you are going to do to me as well; I am putting my signature under everything that has been said."

News Source: AA