Erbakan reacts to mayors from Konya joining AKP, calls it 'spinelessness': 'They did not uphold the will of the people'

Regarding the mayors from his party in Konya joining the AKP, Fatih Erbakan said, "Due to pressures or certain conveniences and benefits provided, unfortunately, they could not display a principled stance; they could not uphold the will of the people."

Stating that Turkey, the region, and the world have numerous issues and that they had the opportunity for a long discussion regarding these, Erbakan said, "We exchanged ideas and made assessments. We expressed to each other that the two parties should continue this dialogue and these relations even more strongly and intensively in the coming period, and we agreed on this. I pray to Almighty God that this visit and the meetings to be held by both parties from now on will lead to auspicious results for this relationship," he said.

"EFFORTS WERE MADE WITH A MOTIVE OF REVENGE"

Responding to journalists' questions after his statements, Fatih Erbakan spoke as follows regarding the question about the transfer of deputies and the fact that some mayors belonging to his party in Konya joined the AKP:

"As the New Welfare Party in Konya, a very significant success was achieved in the local elections. A vote rate of up to 24 percent was obtained in the Konya Metropolitan Municipality election. Along with this, the fact that 6 district municipalities were won by the New Welfare Party revealed that a serious change had occurred in Konya, which the AKP sees as its own stronghold and trusts very much. Upon this, after the election, efforts were made almost with a motive of revenge against the New Welfare Party, in line with the President's words, 'let's shake them off.' Here, the mayors faced serious political blackmail. Due to these pressures or certain conveniences and benefits provided, unfortunately, they could not display a principled stance; they could not uphold the will of the people. However, this is an event that happens not only to the New Welfare Party but also in other political parties. We know that today, mayors and deputies from other parties, including the CHP, are also moving to the ruling wing, the AKP, due to the power and pressure of the government and political blackmail."

Erbakan stated that their party, which had 520 thousand members while entering the March 31 local elections, has seen its membership number rise to 655 thousand today, and assessed, "Therefore, the departure of a few mayors will not negatively affect our strength. On one hand, we have gained more than 130 thousand new members to our party, and we continue to walk towards our goal with firm steps and determination."

Expressing that the bases of the Saadet Party and the New Welfare Party have affection for each other, and that the meetings at the level of chairmen are an indication of this, Erbakan continued as follows:

"I hope that together, it will be our destiny to take auspicious and positive steps for our country, for our nation, for the Islamic world, and as our late teacher Erbakan always expressed, for the salvation of 8 billion people. Research conducted in Turkey has revealed that there are over 30 percent undecided voters. The truth this tells us is this: There is a very serious voter base that is satisfied with neither the government nor the main opposition. This voter base wants the government to change and is not satisfied with the government; however, they also harbor doubts about whether the current main opposition can be a remedy for their own problems. This mass is largely waiting for and wanting a new excitement and a new hope to be born. I express that we, as the New Welfare Party, are ready to do our part to create this hope and excitement. Our meetings with the Saadet Party on this matter will continue more frequently and intensively from now on. I hope it will be our destiny to take auspicious steps for our country and our nation."

"ECONOMIC ISSUES ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM"

When asked about the economic problems experienced by retirees, Fatih Erbakan said the following:

"The situation of retirees and minimum wage earners was indeed one of the most important agenda items in our meeting a moment ago. When citizens are asked, economic problems in Turkey emerge as the most important problem. 90 percent of our retirees receive a salary below the hunger threshold. The hunger threshold has reached 32 thousand liras; 90 percent of retirees receive a salary below 32 thousand liras. Unfortunately, the minimum wage is below the hunger threshold. We live in a Turkey where the poverty threshold has reached the level of 100 thousand liras. In such a picture, a minimum wage of 28 thousand liras and a lowest retirement pension of 20 thousand liras appear, and this picture shows us that 45 percent of the people in Turkey live below the hunger threshold, and 80 percent live below the poverty threshold. The government, which says, 'We did a great favor by increasing the lowest pension of retirees from 18 thousand and something to 20 thousand,' bore a cost of 110 billion liras. This figure is equal to the government's 15-day interest payment. In other words, the amount allocated to increase the salaries of millions of retirees to 20 thousand liras is the same as the money given to interest in 15 days. Therefore, it is impossible for us to accept the expression 'there are no resources.' If you had saved the trillions that have gone to interest while making budgets for 23 years and given this to the retiree and the laborer, and along with this, if you had eliminated the unfair resources transferred to privileged holdings, exemptions, and waste in the public sector and transferred them to the retiree, there would be a much different picture."

"AFTER IRAN, IT COULD BE TURKEY'S TURN"

Regarding the question of whether foreign policy was discussed in the bilateral meeting, Erbakan gave the following answer:

"We fully agree with the Chairman on the issue of Gaza. We also want to express that this Peace Board plan in Gaza is a plan contrary to the national sovereignty of the Palestinians, and that the transfer of the administration of Gaza to the Zionists, the Americans, and Tony Blair is unacceptable. Along with this, our teacher Erbakan has a beautiful saying about America, which he expressed during the operations related to Iraq; he used to say, 'Like an untrained stallion.' Now, unfortunately, we see it; what they have done is obvious. Now it is Iran's turn; they are almost counting the days to strike Iran. As the Chairman also expressed, God forbid, we are facing the possibility that it will be Turkey's turn after Iran. Our teacher Erbakan expressed this for years."

New Welfare Party Chairman Fatih Erbakan also answered the question regarding early elections by saying, "Our prediction regarding early elections is that an election will be held in the autumn of 2027. Because if they cannot realize the constitutional amendment, an early election is needed for the President to be a candidate again. I predict that this will be held 4, 5, or 6 months before its normal time. Therefore, it is highly probable that 2027 will be an election year. We can describe 2026 as the last year before the election."