Akşener's harsh 'free and independent' local election statement: Compares it to 'mandate and tutelage'

The cooperation proposal brought by CHP leader Özgür Özel was rejected by the General Administrative Board (GİK) of the İYİ Party, led by Meral Akşener.

CHP leader Özgür Özel, in his speech at his party's group meeting yesterday, stated that he respected the decision, saying, "An old friend does not become an enemy." 

Akşener, who had not made a statement following the decision, spoke on the matter for the first time at her party's group meeting.

Highlights from Akşener's statement are as follows:

"Those who cannot stomach the success of women will continue to be uncomfortable. Those who pressured the government to abolish the Istanbul Convention will continue to be uncomfortable. They can continue to show hostility as much as they want, but we are here." 

GAVE A FIGURE FOR THE MINIMUM WAGE

Criticizing the government over inflation, Meral Akşener recalled the contradictory statements made by AKP President Erdoğan regarding inflation data. Criticizing the government's announcement that the minimum wage would only be raised once, Akşener stated that as a party, they are insistent on a minimum wage increase in July as well. 

Regarding the minimum wage amount her party considers reasonable, Akşener said "It is 17,000 liras in January 2024 and 20,500 TL for July. However, the welfare share must also be added to the July raise." she said.

"THE OWNERS OF THE CIRCUS ARE NOT BEING DISCUSSED"

Stating that those who launder black money are being discussed but those whose money is being laundered are never mentioned, Meral Akşener said, "The acrobats are being discussed, but for some reason, the owners of the circus are never discussed"she stated. 

Emphasizing that gossip is being discussed instead of projects despite the approaching local elections, Akşener said that they would present their vision for municipal services through a different topic each week.

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

Touching upon the issue of transportation, Meral Akşener said the following:

"It is not possible to speak of the success of transportation services in our country, especially in our major cities. When we compare them with cities in developed countries, transportation services fail to meet expectations in terms of both quality and quantity. Considering the government's view on local administrations, this situation is not surprising at all. Before every election, they promise Berlin or Paris, but they condemn us to the chaos of Delhi or Jakarta."

COMPARISON TO MANDATE AND TUTELAGE

Regarding the decision to enter the elections "free and independent" Akşener also gave messages, stating:

"We cannot be two things. Everyone in this hall has a common trait. Even if we are beaten, we cannot be victims. As members of the İYİ Party, we have experienced things that no one else could endure. 

From today on, rose gardens do not await us. On this path, we will hear slanders and receive threats. Just as we did yesterday, we will stand tall against them today. We have always been those who tirelessly defend what is in the interest of the nation. In the coming period, they will subject us to a barrage of fire. Both sides will do it together. We cannot please anyone other than our nation. I have been watching for two days; there is no difference between any of them." 

We will not allow the mandate and tutelage scheme they call an alliance. We will not bow to this masquerade that threatens us with death to make us accept malaria. We will wage this struggle freely and independently, without becoming extras in a script written by others, and without becoming a springboard for the political careers of others. We will walk without expecting the approval of anyone other than our nation. 

ATSIZ POEM FROM AKŞENER

İYİ Party leader Akşener also Nihal Atsız's "Varsağı" poem.

Akşener stated the following:

“When the day of valor arrives

Glory appears to the brave.

To be spent in heaps

Many hundred thousand lives appear.

**

When a great war breaks out

The brave go quickly, the coward slowly.

For the faint-hearted, a meal with money,

For the brave, the battlefield appears."