Ali Babacan makes an interesting analogy regarding the protocol between the Zafer Party and the CHP: 'A drowning man will clutch at a snake'

Babacan made a statement regarding the 'secret protocol' signed between the Nation Alliance candidate and former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and Zafer Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ during the second round of the presidential elections.

"We knew about the first protocol, but we did not know about the second one," said Babacan, adding, "Given the desperation of that day, we interpreted it as 'a drowning man will clutch at a snake'."

Highlights from Babacan's statement:

"THERE WAS A PROTOCOL WITH 6 SIGNATURES"

"We knew about the first protocol, but we did not know about the second one. Even the spokespeople for the CHP did not know; this is Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu's own admission. Naturally, we were saddened by this. It was a step that would shake the relationship of trust.

Had we won the election, there was a protocol with 6 signatures that was open to the public on one side.

On the other side of this protocol, there was an agreement made by two people in secret corners. Therefore, it was out of the question for this agreement to be imposed upon us.

"A DROWNING MAN WILL CLUTCH AT A SNAKE"

When there is an agreement where 86 million people are the notary, this could not have been valid anyway. Were we saddened? Yes, we were. Given the desperation of that day, we interpreted it as 'a drowning man will clutch at a snake'.

We did not confront Kılıçdaroğlu after the election, but I am sure he also has regrets about this matter. We received many offers saying, 'Let's agree among ourselves and not announce it.'

I always opposed this; it would have been heard, and we would have been disgraced. We are always in favor of transparency."