Bahçeli said no early elections, but a date came from the AKP: He announced when the snap election would be held!
Despite the statement by People's Alliance partner and MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli that "an early election is not on the agenda," AKP Deputy Chairman Mustafa Elitaş pointed to November for both general and local elections. Elitaş stated that he was making his assessment as "someone who has experienced 25 elections."
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AKP Deputy Chairman Mustafa Elitaş answered questions from journalists at the "Anatolian Conversations" program organized by the Turkish Press Federation. Elitaş's statements drew attention regarding the election calendar and the "right to hope" debates.
NOVEMBER EMPHASIS ON THE ELECTION CALENDAR
Making assessments regarding the election date, Elitaş emphasized past election experiences and climate conditions. Stating that the Constitution clearly regulates how election processes are to be conducted, Elitaş drew attention to the importance of weather conditions during election periods.
In this context, recalling that Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu lost his life due to poor weather conditions during a local election process, Elitaş touched upon the importance of holding elections at seasonally more suitable times.
"NOT AN EARLY ELECTION, BUT MOVING ELECTIONS FORWARD"
Elitaş defined the concept of an early election as "moving elections forward." Stating that he based his assessment on his many years of election experience, Elitaş used the following expressions:
"The best climate for both local and general elections is October or November. I am saying that the most suitable time for moving elections forward, seasonally speaking, could be in November. This could be November 2027 for general elections, and November 2028 for local elections; of course, it could also be November 2029. I am saying this as someone who has experienced 25 elections."
"RIGHT TO HOPE" DEBATE ON THE AGENDA
During the program, Elitaş was also asked about the "right to hope" assessment brought to the agenda by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli for PKK terrorist organization leader Abdullah Öcalan.
Elitaş stated that this topic was being handled by the National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission established in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). Emphasizing that representatives of all political parties are present in the commission, Elitaş said that the process should be carried out with a common consensus.
"OUR DESIRE IS FOR A SINGLE VOICE FROM THE COMMISSION"
Speaking about the commission's work, Elitaş pointed out that different statements might be personal assessments and expressed the following:
"There have been some statements. Some of these statements may be their own views. Because, given that one says 'we have agreed' while another expresses that it is not yet clear, it means they will express their own views. But our desire, our wish, is for a single voice to emerge from the commission."