Behind the Scenes: Erdoğan’s ‘50+1’ remark divides the AKP!

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s statement upon his return from Germany that “it would be appropriate to change the 50+1 requirement” has changed the political agenda.

BAHÇELİ: WE ARE NOT ELECTING A VILLAGE HEADMAN

Following Erdoğan’s move, eyes turned to People's Alliance partner and MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli. In his speech at his party’s group meeting, Bahçeli stated, “Electing a President with 50+1 percent of the vote is a form of pluralist democracy that will set a precedent for the world. We are not electing a member of parliament, a mayor, or a village headman. We are electing a president who will represent the entirety of the people. As the MHP, we hold the same view today as we did yesterday.”

50+1 DEBATES HAVE ALSO DIVIDED THE AKP

Bahçeli’s speech, which “did not give the green light to change,” also found resonance within the AKP. According to a report by Selda Güneysu from Cumhuriyet, it is claimed that Bahçeli’s statements were discussed within the AKP and that the two leaders would meet today to evaluate the situation together, while the 50+1 debate has also divided the AKP.

Within the party, there are those who say “The President should be elected by receiving the majority of the votes” and those who say “If 50+1 changes, debates about the system will come to the agenda.” Some AKP members who adopt the view that “The President should be elected by receiving the majority of the votes” are defending the same thesis as Erdoğan.

While some party members say, “Parties with lower vote shares have started to essentially tell parties with higher vote shares, ‘You cannot win without us’ or ‘You need us,’” a significant segment views 50+1 as the “foundation of democracy.” Furthermore, it is stated within the party that “the AKP needs the MHP’s support for a new and civilian constitution.”