Fatih Erbakan compares AKP to a 'melting government': Comments on defections from YRP

Evaluating the allegations that Kasım Gürpınar, who was elected Mayor of Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality from the YRP, met with Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum regarding his defection to the AKP, Erbakan made assessments and criticisms regarding the AKP:

"Unfortunately, the ruling wing has exerted various forms of pressure on elected mayors since the election.

This operation was carried out in small settlements facing financial difficulties, and in a way that is politically and morally inappropriate, contrary to the will of the nation, these transfers were made. Today, the AK Party is Turkey's fastest-melting party.

"THEY ARE LOSING MEMBERS"

We call our New Welfare Party the fastest-growing party in Turkey. The AK Party is Turkey's fastest-melting party. Today, they are losing hundreds of thousands of members in a single month. They are trying to pick up 3-4 people from here and there to show at the top. It is actually just an image, in a sense, the flailing of a melting government."

'WE PLAYED A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE'

Responding to the question, "Do you regret supporting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the presidential elections?" Erbakan said, "At a point where we entered a political crossroads, whenever we were asked about such moves and certain negative statements by the AK Party government, we replied, 'A cup of coffee has a 40-year memory.'

Our New Welfare Party's participation in the People's Alliance on May 14 and May 28 played a very important role in the success of the People's Alliance," he said.

Erbakan stated that as a party, they will attend the extraordinary meeting to be held in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) to discuss the Constitutional Court's (AYM) ruling on Can Atalay.

'AYM RULINGS MUST BE FOLLOWED'

Stating that AYM rulings must be followed and respected, Fatih Erbakan said the following:

"Even though the closure of the Welfare Party in 1998 was contrary to the law, and even though the Welfare Party was closed down in an unfair and unlawful manner based on evidence that was concrete yet interpretive, our late teacher Erbakan, our late leader, said, 'The rulings of the AYM are binding.

Even if we all see it as unfair or do not like it, we are obliged to comply with it.

We are obliged to abide by it,' and he and his entire community, organizations, and members complied with this decision and showed respect. We think the same should happen today."