What was discussed at the IYI Party's 'self-criticism' retreat? Final declaration abandoned

After failing to achieve the expected results in the March 31 Local Elections, the IYI Party, which headed to a party congress and experienced a series of resignations, held a retreat in Afyonkarahisar last weekend with the participation of General Administrative Board members and Central Disciplinary Board members.

According to the BBC, the meeting, where the IYI Party's roadmap was laid out, sought answers to the questions, "Where did we go wrong?" and "How should we proceed from here?"

AKŞENER'S ERDOĞAN VISIT CRITICIZED

IYI Party Founding Chair Meral Akşener's visit to AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was criticized at the retreat, where a consensus was reached on maintaining an “anti-AKP, opposition” stance. The retreat was not attended by deputies Ahmet Ersagun Yücel and Ünal Karaman, who are alleged to be resigning from the IYI Party, nor by Burak Akburak, known for his closeness to Akşener.

FINAL DECLARATION ABANDONED

IYI Party Chairman Müsavat Dervişoğlu, in his opening speech at the meeting he described as a “self-criticism retreat,” gave the message that they would focus on new term goals by saying, “We have to put aside old pictures and look in the mirror.”

It was announced that the party's future roadmap would be revealed with a final declaration to be announced by Dervişoğlu at the end of the retreat. However, Dervişoğlu closed the meeting with a short speech that surprised even party officials, and no final declaration was prepared.

A party official explained their views as follows:

“We were expecting a comprehensive speech that also included a future strategy. Furthermore, decisions were to be announced with a final declaration. Frankly, we were not expecting such an announcement either. Perhaps the targeted result was not achieved, but it was a useful retreat in terms of everyone expressing their thoughts, listening to each other, and bonding.”

"AKŞENER COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE VISIT, IT HARMED THE PARTY"

In the meetings, Akşener's visit to Erdoğan, which Ankara Deputy Koray Aydın, one of the party's founders, cited as the reason for his resignation from the IYI Party, was also criticized by the majority of the participants who took the floor.

The common point of the criticisms was that Akşener both went to this meeting without her party's knowledge and did not make a clear, explanatory statement afterwards that would resolve the question marks in the public eye.

Some deputies pointed out that while Akşener, as an experienced politician, could meet with the President, her failure to make a clear statement afterwards confused citizens, expressing the view, “It is a great injustice to say 'The IYI Party is getting closer to the AKP' over Meral Hanım's visit.”

Two different views emerged regarding the stance to be taken regarding Akşener. Some of those who took the floor argued, “Yes, Akşener going to the Palace harmed the party. But the IYI Party has been branded and identified with Akşener. Therefore, disrespect towards the party's founding chair should not be allowed. The party should protect its founding values.” Some party members, who wanted the party's new management to be given a chance, argued that Akşener should completely withdraw from the party and that the party management should take a clear stance on Akşener's attitudes that put the party in a difficult position.

'FREE AND INDEPENDENT' DEBATE

The IYI Party's decision to enter the local elections as “free and independent” was also among the agenda items. Some speakers argued that the decision to enter the election alone was correct and that the same policy should be continued from now on. Some deputies, who stated that Akşener did not make the decision to enter the elections “free and independent” alone and even faced pressure on this issue, assessed, “Those who wanted to enter the election free and independent later demanded a congress and wanted Akşener to withdraw. Akşener also left the party feeling hurt.”

Those who argued that the “free and independent” decision was wrong pointed out that the IYI Party base consists of an “anti-AKP, opposition” voter profile and argued that the voters “punished” this decision “at the ballot box.” The point on which almost everyone agreed was to continue the “opposition, anti-AKP” line as it has been since the party's foundation.

'WE HAVE NO AGENDA WITH CHP'

It is known that the IYI Party has been distant from the CHP, which was the party's “alliance partner” until last year, both before and after the local elections. This atmosphere was also dominant at the retreat.

While an approach of “not opposing the opposition” is adopted, it is thought and criticized that the CHP has abandoned its claim of a “strengthened parliamentary system.” Especially those who argue that they should walk “free and independent” express the view, “We have no agenda to walk a path with the CHP.”

COULD THERE BE NEW RESIGNATIONS?

Ayyüce Türkeş, who is abroad, Ümit Özlale, who is preparing for marriage, and Istanbul Deputy Özdemir, due to health issues, could not attend the retreat. The Istanbul deputy, one of the names close to Meral Akşener, was the only person who did not attend the retreat without providing an excuse.

YÜCEL AND KARAMAN ALSO DID NOT ATTEND

However, all eyes were on Istanbul Deputy Ahmet Ersagun Yücel and Konya Deputy Ünal Karaman, whose resignations from the party are being discussed in the lobbies. Neither of them attended the retreat. According to information provided by party officials, Yücel, who reported that he was on his way to the retreat, turned back after a relative fell ill. Karaman also conveyed that he would not attend the meeting due to a family excuse.

'THOSE WHO LIKE IT SHOULD WALK WITH US, THOSE WHO DON'T, THE WAY IS OPEN'

According to information provided by party sources, the IYI Party has lost approximately 150 thousand members since the 2023 general elections. In the meetings, it was determined that resignations have decreased in the recent period and have come to a standstill.

It was stated that the party has also shown a tendency to recover in terms of vote percentage since the local elections and is in the 6.1-7 percent range.

Regarding the process experienced, the assessment was made, “We have experienced fluctuations with Akşener's departure, and we continue to experience them. We have gone through traumatic periods. There is no other party in the center besides the IYI Party. We have experienced managerial crises, but the IYI Party has not lost its institutional appeal.”

The view that those who do not want to continue with the new management should not be hindered was adopted. Dervişoğlu also explained their stance on this issue at the closing meeting of the retreat with the words, “Those who believe should walk with us, if there are those who do not believe, their way is also open.”

DERVİŞOĞLU WILL HIT THE FIELD

Müsavat Dervişoğlu, who took over the chairmanship from Meral Akşener, having low public recognition was also one of the topics discussed. According to the measurements coming to the party, Dervişoğlu's public recognition is at the 2.5 percent level.

Party members who took the floor at the meeting suggested that Dervişoğlu should use social media and traditional media more, create actions and discourses that will set the agenda, hit the field, and hold public meetings. After the Parliament goes on recess, Dervişoğlu is expected to start rallies and shopkeeper visits.