Gelecek Party's Nedim Yamalı, rumored to be joining AKP, speaks to 12punto: 'If the Political Ethics Law passes...'

Burak DEMİRBAŞ-12punto.com.tr

Hot developments continue to unfold in politics following the March 31 local elections. 

Following the statement by Tv100 presenter Cansu Canan Özgen that '7 deputies from the IYI Party and the Gelecek Party will join the AKP,' 12punto reached out to the figures at the center of the allegations.

Istanbul Deputy Salim Ensarioğlu, who resigned from the IYI Party to continue his path as an independent, stated that he wants to continue in active politics, is monitoring the process, and pointed to the CHP's Statute Congress.

Gelecek Party Ankara Deputy Nedim Yamalı, one of the deputies included in these claims, also spoke to 12punto.

'THERE ARE THOSE TELLING US TO RETURN TO THE AK PARTY'

In his assessment to 12punto, Yamalı noted the following:

"As you know, after the general elections, the CHP, the IYI Party, and even the AK Party are taking new positions. The CHP, in particular, has lost all its commitment to the Table of Six and has rejected it. 

Therefore, we are also in search of what we can do until the next election. We have roots in the AK Party. Thus, we are in talks. One should not immediately conclude from this that 'they are switching, they will switch.' There are friends there with whom we have worked for years who are saying, 'Return to the AK Party, come back.'"

'THE TALKS ARE KNOWN IN ANKARA'

We have demands regarding the Political Ethics Law, tender laws, and a revision of the Presidential Government System... They also acknowledge that there are problems and difficulties. We have such a process, and the talks we are having with these friends are known in Ankara. Sometimes Selim Bey (Temurci) might be announcing certain things; those are his personal thoughts. With the knowledge of our Chairman, we are talking not only with the AK Party but also with the IYI Party and the DEVA Party; we already have a partnership with the Saadet Party. 

'WE ARE NOT IN A PACKAGE'

The current political conditions in Turkey are not sustainable. We are also aware that it is not sustainable for our party, on the other hand. We also have some recommendations regarding the AK Party. The process is like this. A lot of things are immediately being made up about us from this, and our name is being used. 

We are not in a package; some of our friends may also make their own personal decisions." 

'WE CAN WALK TOGETHER AGAIN'

When asked, "If an agreement is reached on the Political Ethics Law and the conditions, would you switch as a bloc as a party?" Yamalı responded as follows:

"Then we would take a step. Because our Chairman has already said this many times. 

We gave our names to the Saadet Party so that a group could be formed. Saadet and DEVA could not do this. As the Gelecek Party, we are frequently harmed by this, but we are not harsh. Some parties, in particular, do not realize that the parliamentary system is over. There is a Presidential Government System. New positions are very different, and we are trying to adapt to this. Therefore, our Chairman also states our demands in live broadcasts. If the Political Ethics Law, the democratization of the Presidential Government System, and certain legal reforms are carried out, of course, we can walk together again as a party."