MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli's response on the Constitution: 'They have no side to be taken seriously'

MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli is holding a press conference following the Central Executive Board and Central Disciplinary Board meeting at his party's headquarters.

Here are the highlights from Bahçeli's speech:

"In our meetings, regional and background issues, as well as hot topics, have been discussed in terms of strategic risks that put our country in a difficult position. Our party's political activities have been evaluated. Our struggle for the homeland and the nation will continue as it is. We will work hard and overcome the barriers that have been erected in front of us. For this, we will work with strategic intelligence.

'AS ATATÜRK SAID, TO BE GREAT, YOU SHALL NOT DECEIVE ANYONE'

We will fight not like a raft drifting in a current, but like ships resisting giant waves. We will be far removed from unqualified crowds. This can also be seen when looking at the pages of our party's 55-year history. As Atatürk said, 'To be great, you shall not deceive anyone. Everyone may be against you. But you will resist this. Believing that no help will come from anyone, you will overcome all obstacles. From then on, you will laugh at those who call you great.'

The Nationalist Movement Party will show its glorious past, politically, intellectually, and ideologically, once again in the new century. Our work is much, our path is difficult, and our burden is heavy. The MHP aims to determine the future with precision. The MHP is ready to embrace the entirety of our nation and to trample upon discrimination and separatism. The MHP is also obligated to achieve this.

I am warning the organized evil and the polyphonic choir of sedition that seek to block Turkey's path. They have accelerated their overt activities in recent days. The goal is for our sense of national unity and solidarity to turn into a ruined wall. The siege has tightened, and the arsonists have multiplied. The indivisible integrity of the nation, the socio-economic structure, and the treasury of national values are under attack. The situation is serious, and the threat is gaining magnitude.

'THERE IS NO COUNTRY TO BE HANDED OVER TO MASKED BALL CLOWNS'

Those who dress up lies and neglect the truth are essentially those who are disreputable and unworthy of our nation and our country. We will not let Turkey's path be blocked. There is no country to be handed over to masked ball clowns who change their appearance.

The silent cry of our brothers who were wounded in the fight against terrorism but are not accepted as disabled veterans has still not ceased. Unfortunately, our brothers in this category have not been able to benefit from the rights granted to veterans. Whatever we do for those who are ready to give up their lives is not enough. The granting of titles and the connection of honor pensions to our eligible brothers should be among the first agenda items of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM).

'I COMMEMORATE OUR FIRST PRESIDENT, GAZI MUSTAFA KEMAL ATATÜRK, WITH MERCY AND GRATITUDE'

It is not right to remember our veterans only on September 19. The TBMM has earned the rank of veteran twice. The silent cry of 20 thousand of our brothers, who are not accepted as veterans due to a loophole in the legislation, has not ceased, and they have been deprived of the social and economic rights granted to veterans. Implicit discrimination among veterans is unjust. The granting of titles and the connection of honor pensions to our veterans must be decided in the TBMM.

There is no degree or such thing as veteran status. It is not correct or consistent to look at the wound a hero has received and decide whether or not they are a veteran. We cannot withhold the rights of our heroes to whom we have entrusted the defense of the homeland. We must not disappoint all our heroes who are wounded while fighting at home and abroad to preserve our national survival. One step beyond being a veteran is martyrdom. On the occasion of September 19 Veterans Day, I wish all our veterans health. I commemorate our first President who founded our state, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, with mercy and gratitude.

'NOTHING WILL BE THE SAME AGAIN'

Despite the US decision to withdraw from Iraq, it is no secret that this country is deploying troops, establishing new bases in Syria, and increasing its weapons and ammunition.

The detonation of devices in Lebanon has pushed threat perceptions to the peak. No place is safe anymore. And nothing will ever be the same again.

'MENTIONING AN EARLY ELECTION IN NOVEMBER 2025 IS A MENTAL BLOCK'

Those who cannot bend our wrist abroad and cannot digest Turkey's rise are busy poisoning our national climate of trust at home. The puppet opposition, wallowing in misery, is acting as a hitman. The CHP chairman has moved away from reality by making empty promises of dream-peddling. It is a mental block for him to mention an early election in November 2025, not long after declaring that they would not ask for an early election. His nonsensical promise is nothing more than the price of 1 liter of rakı dropping to 140 liras. My brothers who vote for the CHP do not seem to fit this structure.

'THOSE WHO LOOK ASKANCE AT THE FIRST 4 ARTICLES OF THE CONSTITUTION ARE NULL AND VOID TO US'

It has never been seen or heard that this party supports Turkey's national theses. The "dem-infused" CHP, which disturbs the peace of our nation, is a problem. This problem damages democracy and morality. The CHP's mind is not domestic, and its administration is not national. Özgür Özel recently wondered about my thoughts on the 4 articles. We have as much forgotten as Mr. Özgür knows. It is not anyone's place to ask the MHP questions about the first 4 articles of the Constitution or to conduct a roll call. Whoever they may be, those who look askance at the first 4 articles of the Constitution are null and void to us. There is no side of them to be taken seriously.