Eser Yenenler crisis in the AKP: Even party members were uncomfortable

While the "Youth Festival" event organized by the AK Party Youth Branches continues to be debated in the public eye, a statement has come from the AK Party front. AK Party Central Executive Board Member and Head of Promotion and Media Faruk Acar made evaluations regarding the criticisms that emerged after the event.

On social media, allegations had surfaced that some students were taken to the event under the guise of a "free trip" and that 100,000 people were gathered in a stadium with a capacity of 35,000.

Eser Yenenler hosting the event also brought political debates with it. It was recalled that Yenenler had previously shared a post saying "Everything will be very beautiful" for the imprisoned Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and CHP presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu.

"THIS IS A CENTER PARTY"

Faruk Acar responded to the criticisms regarding the event in a statement to Halk TV's İsmail Saymaz.

Acar stated, "This is a center party. The Presidential Government System requires 50+1. We are a mass party, we are a leader's party. There were our veiled sisters there, and there were also sisters who adopted a secular style," he said.

"THERE WERE AK PARTY LOGOS ON THE BUSES"

Rejecting the claims that the young people attending the event did not know where they were being taken, Acar made the following statement regarding the organization:

"They are invited people who knew where they were going, with logos and AK Party corporate branding on our buses."

"ONE SHOULD ASK ESER YENENLER HIMSELF"

Speaking about the criticisms regarding Eser Yenenler hosting the event, Acar used the following expressions:

"One should ask Eser Yenenler himself. Why did he want to be at an AK Party program? Why did he want to host an AK Party program today after saying 'Everything will be very beautiful' that day? Perhaps there was a ground that met his fee expectations that day, I don't know. I don't want to infringe on anyone's rights."

Stating that no evaluation was made based on Yenenler's political views, Acar said, "It is not an issue we approached through the format of 'Yenenler supports İmamoğlu.' It is a completely professional process."

"OUR BASE IS RIGHT TO BE ANGRY"

Acar also made a statement regarding a social media influencer who became a topic of discussion due to their social media posts at the event, evaluating the situation as "negligence."

Acar stated, "They did not give an award to the President. They gave a picture. They made a request, and we approved it. Our youth branches exercised their discretion. It was something that developed spontaneously."

Speaking about the reactions from the party base due to the incident in question, Acar said, "Is our base right to be angry? Extremely right. One can be angry at this, fair enough."

In the continuation of his statement, Acar used the following expressions:

"Such a situation may have occurred at a point related to protecting the lady's sensitivity. We posted asking 'How was this not seen?' They said, 'Mr. Chairman, there is no question of an award being given, the girl gave her picture.' I wish it had been noticed; we would not have allowed it."