Mümtaz'er Türköne's claim that 'Bahçeli will lead Turkey to early elections' sparks debate... Erdoğan-Bahçeli summit expected in political circles

A new claim has emerged following MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli’s controversial remarks regarding the invitation of PKK terrorist organization leader Abdullah Öcalan to the Parliament.

Journalist and author Mümtaz'er Türköne suggested that Bahçeli could take Turkey to early elections. While this striking claim has stirred political circles, notable comments have come from the ruling front.

ŞAMİL TAYYAR: “ERDOĞAN AND BAHÇELİ MAY MEET”

Former AKP deputy and journalist Şamil Tayyar emphasized in his assessment of the issue that an early election poses a major risk for the government. Tayyar stated, “Early election is a very dangerous phrase for the government. For one of the government's partners to take Turkey to early elections means that the bureaucracy and the judiciary would come to a halt, and investors would have to adjust their plans accordingly. The system would become deadlocked.”

Tayyar noted that the language used in Mümtaz’er Türköne’s statements created the impression that he was speaking on behalf of the MHP. “We expected a statement from the MHP today, but nothing official came. Only journalist Sinan Burhan called MHP Deputy Group Chairman İsmail Özdemir. Özdemir said, ‘Türköne’s words are his personal opinion. Mr. Devlet’s stance on early elections is clear,’” he said.

BAHÇELİ AND ERDOĞAN TO MEET

Tayyar also said that according to information he obtained from political circles, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Devlet Bahçeli will meet in the near future.

Şamil Tayyar said, “From the contacts I made today, I learned that some things are not going well. Erdoğan and Bahçeli will likely come together soon to resolve these types of disagreements. I learned that an appointment is being scheduled. The existing issues between the AK Party and the MHP will be evaluated from multiple angles.”

NAGEHAN ALÇI: “TÜRKÖNE IS NOT SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE MHP”

Journalist Nagehan Alçı recounted her phone conversation with Mümtaz'er Türköne. Alçı stated that Türköne based this claim not on information, but on his own analysis.

Nagehan Alçı shared the following regarding her conversation with Mümtaz'er Türköne:

“I spoke with Türköne. I asked him, ‘Are you basing these words on information or is it just an analysis?’ He replied, ‘I am following it carefully. I am analyzing the details and comments from my own perspective. I have no contact with Bahçeli or the MHP. I am making this assessment solely with my academic identity. I do not think the 'Terror-Free Turkey' process is sustainable for President Erdoğan. Erdoğan will stop this process at some point. That is why I made such an analysis. Since there has been no objection from the MHP, I continue my analyses.’”

INDIRECT RESPONSE FROM THE MHP

While no official statement was made by the MHP front, an indirect response to Türköne’s statements was given through İsmail Özdemir. Özdemir stated that Türköne’s words were a personal assessment and that Devlet Bahçeli’s stance on early elections is clear.