İYİ Party holds rally in Balıkesir against framework law: Harsh words for the government from Dervişoğlu

The İYİ Party has taken its reaction to the streets against the framework law passed by the TBMM as part of the new resolution process that the government calls a "Terror-Free Turkey." Following the first "I Am Unfurling the Flag" rally in Ankara's Tandoğan, the second gathering was held at Balıkesir's Kuvayı Milliye Square.

Speaking at the rally, İYİ Party Chairman Müsavat Dervişoğlu described the regulation as an "amnesty law for terrorists" while leveling harsh criticisms at the ruling system. Dervişoğlu said, "I am talking about a system that has taken all of Turkey and all of politics hostage; a system that surrounds the economy, media, academia, judiciary, and all organs of the state like a seven-armed monster. The center of that system is the Beştepe Palace."

The İYİ Party's first rally was held on June 27 at Ankara's Tandoğan Square. The party leadership continued its opposition to the regulation, which it had opposed during the TBMM committee and General Assembly stages, with the second rally in Balıkesir. Citizens in the square participated in the rally with Turkish flags and placards.

ÇÖMEZ: DO YOU CONSENT TO THIS BETRAYAL?

İYİ Party Group Deputy Chairman Turhan Çömez also spoke at the rally. Pointing to Balıkesir's place during the National Struggle period, Çömez recalled the establishment of the Society for the Rejection of Annexation (Redd-i İlhak Cemiyeti) in Balıkesir following the occupation of İzmir. Çömez defined the İYİ Party cadres as the modern-day representatives of the spirit of the National Struggle.

Expressing his reaction to the regulation passed by the TBMM, Çömez said, "A law was passed in Parliament in recent days. Exactly 467 hands were raised to pardon terrorists. Well, do you consent to this, people of Balıkesir?" Upon the crowd responding with "No," Çömez stated that the İYİ Party would continue its struggle against this process.

Dervişoğlu began his speech by referring to the Tandoğan rally. Stating, "I give my word that I will not stop. I will not be silent until I break the betrayal, until I defeat the negligence," Dervişoğlu argued that a "climate of fear and oppression" had been created in Turkey.

Dervişoğlu also targeted the government over the transfers of deputies and mayors. Arguing that these developments could not be explained solely by political arithmetic or fear, Dervişoğlu used the expression, "This is the prelude to the transition from a personal regime to a personal state."

DERVİŞOĞLU: FOR US, THIS IS AN AMNESTY LAW FOR TERRORISTS

Stating that for the framework law, "For us, this is an amnesty law for terrorists. It is the first wave of a tsunami," Dervişoğlu also opposed assessments that the regulation was an "execution regulation, not an amnesty." Dervişoğlu said, "If it is an execution, it is the execution of the Turkish nation. It is the execution of the Republic that makes us equal."

Targeting the political structure behind the law, Dervişoğlu used the phrase, "a triple coalition consisting of President Erdoğan, Devlet Bahçeli, and Abdullah Öcalan." Criticizing the language of "peace and brotherhood" used in the process, Dervişoğlu asked, "Who is making peace with whom? Who were you fighting with that you are now making peace?"

Addressing Kurdish citizens as well, Dervişoğlu said that instead of the Republic, the social and economic problems that the government has failed to solve should be questioned. He called for the government to be held accountable over child marriages, femicides, the GAP project, railways, and factories that have not been opened.

At the end of his speech, Dervişoğlu stated that the İYİ Party would not take a step back from its stance, saying, "We will not abandon the position of Turkishness. We will not deviate from the path of the Republic." Following the rally, an "I Am Unfurling the Flag" march was held, in which Dervişoğlu also participated; participants marched with various slogans.