Ahmet Davutoğlu's 'Öcalan' statement: 'Bahçeli shifted into higher gear, Erdoğan pulled the handbrake'

Future Party leader Ahmet Davutoğlu spoke at the New Way Party group meeting.

Evaluating the call from PKK terrorist organization leader Abdullah Öcalan, Davutoğlu said, "The first positive aspect is that while in 2013 he was talking about armed groups leaving Turkey, now he is talking directly about the liquidation of the organization. Secondly, the new statement does not discuss the state structure; it talks about democratization within the unitary state structure. The negative aspects, however, are that a tripartite leg has formed: AK Party, MHP, and even Imralı. If it brings peace, it is good; we will look at the result."

'BAHÇELİ SHIFTED INTO HIGHER GEAR, ERDOĞAN PULLED THE HANDBRAKE'

Stating, "I will never believe it without seeing a concrete, scheduled roadmap," Davutoğlu used the following expressions:

"While Bahçeli is constantly shifting into a higher gear, Erdoğan is constantly pulling the handbrake. We have not heard a single statement from Erdoğan saying that the process is correct and will reach its goal. Bahçeli is meeting with all DEM members from his sickbed. So, who are we to believe? The AK Party can speak; has anyone from the government, that is, the Minister of Interior or the Vice President, spoken? In 2013, the entire party had mobilized. Now, public diplomacy is not being conducted, it is not being explained to the public. Let Mr. Erdoğan come out and explain the details to the public; this is what we are waiting for. How many election periods will you exploit through headscarves and terrorism? If you can solve it, solve it; if you cannot, let us come, and we will solve it."

'LET THE ERDOĞAN IN SUBAYEVLERİ HOLD THE ERDOĞAN IN BEŞTEPE ACCOUNTABLE'

Also making assessments regarding the economy, Davutoğlu continued as follows:

"I am complaining about the Erdoğan sitting in Beştepe to the Erdoğan sitting in Subayevleri. Let the Erdoğan sitting in Subayevleri hold the Erdoğan sitting in Beştepe accountable. According to Turkey's growth index, the rent of the construction sector and the financial sector have come together to form an oligarchy. Nothing is left for the industrial sector. This is the picture. We are facing a rentier economy. When the income gap is this large, I cannot help but say that the sighs of the hungry poison the tables of the satiated. Turkey is the fourth worst country in the world in terms of income equality."

CRITICISM OF MEHMET ŞİMŞEK

Saying, 'I am addressing Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek,' Davutoğlu used the following expressions:

"Mr. Mehmet, pull those tax inspectors back and send them to the holdings. You were also the Minister of Finance during my prime ministry. Was the tradesman in this state? What happened to the old Mehmet Şimşek? Because you are giving instructions: 'Close the tax deficit, but how will you close it? By burdening the tradesman?' Despite you doing these things, the 2023 inflation was 39 percent, now it is 39 percent again. Rob the tradesman, oppress them, but do not make any progress. If we were in office tomorrow, I would not bring a zoning amnesty, I would bring a tradesman amnesty. E-seizures are being sent to tradesmen who have money in their tax office accounts. Blocks are being placed on the few thousand liras the tradesman has saved up. Why does the e-seizure not apply to the rentier crowd, the political figures involved in corruption, or drug gangs?"