MHP issues warning regarding former MP Erdem: 'It is outside our party's authorization'

Although it may seem like an ordinary situation for our country for former members of parliament to participate in news channels and provide commentary, the statements made by such figures can sometimes lead to discomfort within the party.

The latest party to experience discomfort on this issue was the MHP.

Arzu Erdem, a member of parliament for the 25th, 26th, and 27th terms, had made statements regarding the religious service held at the Sumela Monastery and claimed that this annual service was a 'betrayal service'.

In the interview she gave, Erdem used the following expressions:

"The Patriarch, the Chief Priest of the Phanar Church, will not preside over the so-called service, which is in essence Ecumenical and Pontic propaganda, at Sumela this year. May the same happen to the so-called service that has turned into a Pontic show...

The Patriarch should not preside over the service at Sumela. We will make every effort within the framework of the legislation to ensure he does not. We will not allow the Treaty of Lausanne and our Constitution to be trampled upon."

Not stopping there, former MHP MP Erdem had also paid a series of visits in Trabzon.

REACTION FROM MHP TO THE STATEMENTS

Stating that these statements and visits made by Erdem were outside the knowledge of their party, MHP Secretary-General Büyükataman announced the discomfort they felt as the MHP with the following statement:

"For Public Information

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) is a political organization that carries out all its work with order and discipline; all its programs are carried out in a planned manner, with the knowledge and permission of our Headquarters.

The activities of Arzu Erdem, a member of parliament for the 25th, 26th, and 27th terms of the Nationalist Movement Party, who has recently participated in a number of television programs using the title of 'Former MHP MP' and subsequently carried out a series of visits, are outside the knowledge and permission of our Party.

The work carried out by Arzu Erdem using the title of former MHP MP is not a program of the Nationalist Movement Party but her own personal work, and these activities have no connection with our party.

RESPONSE FROM ARZU ERDEM TO THE POST ABOUT HER

MHP Secretary-General İsmet Büyükataman had made a striking post regarding former MP Arzu Erdem's visit to Trabzon and the statements she made there.

Following this move by Büyükataman, who stated that the statements made by Erdem did not bind them and that they found them wrong, a response came from Arzu Erdem.

In the statement she made on her social media account, Erdem tagged MHP Chairman Bahçeli and used the following expressions:

"For Public Information

On July 25, 2024, I visited our Chairman, Mr. Devlet Bahçeli, and presented information regarding the foundation we have established. In this regard, I conveyed that I would carry out work to strengthen the national and spiritual values of our people from all segments of the Turkish nation, especially our youth, across Turkey. I presented to him that, against the possible slander of those who might be uncomfortable with these efforts, as a child of the party who has been a candidate for six terms, served as an MP for the 25th/26th/27th terms, and was nominated as a candidate from the third district of Istanbul in the 28th term, i.e., the last parliamentary elections, but was not elected, I was ready to resign from my position as a supreme council delegate and from party membership. Our esteemed elder instructed me that I should absolutely not resign and allowed me to carry out the work. In this case, I would like to remind you that the work I have done is not a party assignment, but it is within the knowledge of our Chairman.

Throughout my entire political life, I have worked day and night in Turkey and abroad on behalf of my party and my cause with the motto of homeland, nation, flag, and eternity. To avoid misunderstandings in the programs I conducted, I did not visit our party's organizations, and I did not make such references in the posts I made on social media.

For this reason, I would like to express that I do not understand on what grounds Bursa MP Mr. İsmet Büyükataman made this statement, what he meant, and why he was uncomfortable. From now on, I will continue my work for my homeland, the noble Turkish nation, the Republic of Turkey, and the Turkish youth, who are the guarantee of our future, with a supra-political understanding. @dbdevletbahceli

Respectfully

For Public Information

I have read the statement below.

On July 25, 2024, I visited our Chairman, Mr. Devlet Bahçeli, and presented information regarding the foundation we have established. In this regard, I conveyed that I would carry out work to strengthen the national and spiritual values of our people from all segments of the Turkish nation, especially our youth, across Turkey... https://t.co/aNdbUC5xQG

— Arzu ERDEM ???????????? (@arzuerdemtc) August 23, 2024

News Source: 12punto