MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli makes statement on 'softening' and 'normalization'

MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli spoke at the 'Mayors Consultation and Evaluation Meeting'.

Highlights from Bahçeli's remarks are as follows:

"We have entered a 4-year period without elections.

Whether elected or not, all the esteemed figures of our party and the People's Alliance have fulfilled their responsibilities.

The airs of those who beat around the bush have deflated. Our party has proven its existence in the local elections.

STATEMENT ON NORMALIZATION AND SOFTENING

Calls for normalization and softening should not remain mere words. The consolidation of the sentiment of national unity and the reinforcement of social, economic, and legal reforms that expand in ripples are the main agenda items ahead. We have much to do for a clean society and clean politics, and we have no right to move slowly. The upcoming process is a test of honesty for everyone. We do what we say. Because our word is our bond, and our essence is our guarantee.

KOBANI CASE

Looking favorably upon those who see terrorism as a means of seeking rights is to disregard the indivisible integrity of the state with its country and nation. Looking with tolerance at those who have committed the crime of attempting to abolish the Government of the Republic of Turkey, and calculating how to render the judiciary dysfunctional through external threats, is exhaustion. Objecting to the sentencing of the terrorist Demirtaş and other separatists who incited the October 6-8 events is the gravest insult to the state and the nation.

The issue is to reach a consensus on national and spiritual values. Our expectation for softening is not in procedure, but in tone. Primarily, if the opposition parties' search is for a softening in procedure, such a softening is paving the way for destruction.

"THOSE WHO HAVE EXTRA-LEGAL STRUCTURES WITHIN THE STATE..."

Those who feed polarization are clear. Softening in politics should climb to continuous and sustainable dimensions, but no one should expect us to become 'softies' under the guise of softening, to have our edges filed down, or our will broken. I especially underline that we cannot have any business with conspirators. We cannot have common ground with those chasing plots. We can never cross paths with centers that have extra-legal structures within the state, and that profile and sow discord against anyone outside their own sects.

Turkey is a state of law. If the state separates its path from the law, it is no different from a gang. Stability in governance has been achieved. The Presidential Cabinet is on duty. No one should attempt to damage our environment of peace with dark scenarios or by abusing their duties using secret witness testimonies. The heads of those who cause such attempts must definitely be crushed.

News Source: 12punto