Özel reacts to Erdoğan’s ‘Marmaris’ remark

Yeni Party Chairman Özgür Özel traveled to Rize following his field work program in Trabzon. Addressing citizens on Atatürk Street, Özel reacted to AKP President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s remarks to Marmaris Mayor Acar Ünlü, where he said, "If you want to come, our door is open."

Stating that political competition should be conducted at the ballot box and through hard work, Özel said, "Politics is won by working. It is won through competition, but districts, cities, and municipalities are not won through transfers."

Özel noted that when Marmaris Mayor Acar Ünlü greeted Erdoğan, he asked, "Is there anything we can do as a municipality?" and said that Erdoğan responded to this question with a call for a party change.

“I have come here, I have come to Erdoğan’s hometown, and the only thing I would say to the mayor of Rize elected from the AK Party is ‘Good luck, Mr. Mayor.’ We respect the vote cast by everyone.”

Emphasizing respect for the will of the voters in Rize, Özel said he believes the city will one day be governed by a mayor elected from the Yeni Party. Özel added, "Until that day, whoever the people of Rize decide on, we hold in high regard."