Striking comments from Müsavat Dervişoğlu on the 'Erdoğan-Özel' meeting! 'If they are trying to soften things now...'

Müsavat Dervişoğlu, who won the chairmanship election at the İYİ Party's extraordinary congress following the local elections, made statements regarding the current agenda.

Speaking to İsmail Saymaz from Sözcü, Dervişoğlu touched upon the March 31 Local Elections, the new constitution discussions on the agenda, and the meeting between CHP Chairman Özgür Özel and AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

WE COULD NOT FORESEE THE RESULT ON MARCH 31

The İYİ Party, which decided to enter the local elections 'freely and independently', suffered a significant loss of votes and fell to the position of the sixth party across Turkey. Stating that they could not foresee the result on March 31, Dervişoğlu said the following;

"The voter signaled that we need to review the political decisions we have made once again and engage in self-criticism. We could not compensate for the votes we lost in metropolitan cities in Anatolia. This is a fact. We will investigate why we lost votes in metropolitan cities.

The government managed an aggressive campaign. Citizens, based on the concern of “What if they win?”, consolidated and voted for the strongest party against the AK Party. We did not foresee this much. We said there would be some shifts. But we did not foresee that we would experience such a loss of votes."

When asked by Saymaz, "Was it a mistake to enter the election separately?", Dervişoğlu gave the following response;

"For us, besides winning mayoralties, there was also the matter of setting a roadmap for 2028. We entered the 2019 local elections together with the CHP. We had a 2023 goal back then. We came out of 2019 successfully, but we could not win in 2023. If we had entered with the same strategy now, we would not have been able to win in 2028. There is a four-year period. We will compensate for our losses and prepare our party for the election with its unique identity. We made the decision together. We had to implement it together. No one can wash their hands of this and get away with it."

In addition to the new constitution discussions on the agenda, Dervişoğlu also made notable assessments regarding the meeting between Erdoğan and Özel.

Drawing attention to the economic crisis, Dervişoğlu spoke as follows;

"What is the purpose of the constitutional amendment? If they want to open a constitutional debate to cover up the problems in Turkey and are saying “If you can't find bread, eat the constitution,” we will not fall for this game.

The traces of military tutelage have been erased from the constitution. The ranks of those who vouched for the constitution have been stripped. There are 58 articles that have not changed. But it has never been able to get rid of the shadow of tutelage. It was under military tutelage for a period. FETÖ tutelage permeated for a period. Then Erdoğan's tutelage showed itself.

It has evolved into one-man rule under the name of the Presidential Government System.

Today, the dollar did not rise from 3 liras to 34 liras because of the constitution. If the retiree cannot boil their pot, the constitution is not responsible.

If the constitutional amendment will serve as a basis for changing this order and transitioning to a parliamentary democratic system, let's discuss it. We can talk about this, but if it will open the door to revisions that will consolidate the one-man regime, we don't even find it worth talking about.

There is no proposal on the table. We don't know what the AK Party has in its hands.

They talk about a “spring atmosphere in politics.” While the nation is experiencing the dead of winter in all four seasons, we will not let anyone experience spring. First, the dead of winter will be lifted. The pot will boil. Young people will stop looking for their future in visa queues. Retirees, widows, and orphans will reach humane living conditions. People will not die while waiting in line for appointments at hospital doors.

What has improved in Turkey? If the retiree's pot is not boiling, what can I do as a politician by promising spring?"

STRIKING COMMENT ON THE ERDOĞAN-ÖZEL MEETING

Upon Saymaz saying, “A conclusion emerges from your words like 'If I were in Özgür Özel's place, I wouldn't meet',” Dervişoğlu continued as follows;

"If it were me, I wouldn't meet on these issues yet. Those who caused the dead of winter should not reap heroism, and parties should not allow this. Let them meet, there is no obstacle. I am not against leaders being invited by the President to evaluate the situation. But if they are trying to soften the things they have been escalating until now, there must be a hidden agenda behind it."

WE WILL NOT SAY YES TO AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD MAKE ERDOĞAN'S CANDIDACY POSSIBLE

When asked by Saymaz, "Would you say yes to an early election that would allow Erdoğan to be a candidate again?", Dervişoğlu gave the following response;

"We will not say yes to a constitutional amendment that could make Erdoğan's candidacy possible. If there is an intention to pave the way for him once more, we will oppose it.

If this discussion stems from the Presidential debate and the basis is the Presidential Government System, and those who govern the country do not give up on the claim of governing, then it is possible for them to make the constitution suitable for a parliamentary democratic system. Why are they clogging up Turkey?"

Dervişoğlu, whose meeting with Özgür Özel was a matter of curiosity after being elected chairman of the İYİ Party, responded to the question "When will Özel come to visit you?" with these words;

"He did not make an appointment with me. I don't know when his contacts with the President will end. (Laughs) I am the new chairman, I expect to be visited.

A congratulatory call came from the President. It was a warm conversation. They called one after another with Mr. Özgür.

I thank everyone who called and who didn't. Including those who didn't call."

RESPONSE TO DEVLET BAHÇELİ

Dervişoğlu spoke as follows regarding MHP leader Bahçeli, who did not congratulate him and accused the İYİ Party of treason;

"I cannot speak that harshly. If I speak harshly against someone, I cannot manage to speak softly the next day. But there are some politicians who can digest the words they spoke yesterday with those they stand side-by-side with today. I neither speak with that weight, nor can I digest it easily if I speak with such weight. That's why I watch my language. I do not show disrespect. I do not make insulting statements to anyone. There is no insult, demagoguery, or hostility in the language I use.

It is not anyone's place to accuse me of treason. Traitor, heedless... Turkey's squares have witnessed these words many times. But if they are standing side-by-side today despite those expressions, the person needs to review themselves. Let those who experience these mutually think about it. I would not fall into such a thing and would not consent to it."

Dervişoğlu gave the following response to the question, "Is the İYİ Party's candidate a presidential candidate?";

"You are asking me 'Are you a presidential candidate?' There is a long time until the election.

I am a candidate to govern Turkey. Constitutional conditions will reveal in what capacity I will do it. I have a wish for the journey I have set out on to serve Turkey to be crowned with the highest office."

"If the system does not change in 2028, are you the İYİ Party's candidate?"

"I don't write post-dated checks like others."

News Source: 12punto