‘The AKP’s file of dark relations’... Ümit Özdağ: Bahçeli threatened Erdoğan

Victory Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ made assessments regarding the current political agenda.

Speaking to Cansu Çamlıbel from T24, Özdağ brought up a claim that is set to spark debate.

Before the meeting between AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli had appeared at the podium wearing a ring inscribed with ‘Allah is enough for me’ and holding a file.

Özdağ alleged that the file in question was given to Bahçeli by a former AKP minister, commenting, “It was a clear message to the AKP.”

Stating that the MHP has serious leverage over the AKP, Özdağ claimed that Bahçeli was threatening Erdoğan by holding the file.

The relevant part of the interview is as follows:

- Do you think that was the 17-25 December file in that photo?

As far as I know, a former AKP minister presented a file to Mr. Bahçeli regarding all of the AKP’s so-called dark relations.

- So, someone from the inside... is that it?

Yes, that photo was taken with that file. Or it was taken symbolically, implying it. But this was a very clear message to the AKP. Now, by returning to parliamentary democracy, the AKP will also get rid of this relationship. Now, put yourself in Özgür Özel’s shoes. You are the chairman of the party, but you are not.

- Why would that be?

There are two very powerful names in his party. Think about it, in this environment, when you imply that you are considering becoming a presidential candidate, suddenly the entire public pressures you, saying, “Be quiet and sit down.”

"RETURN TO PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM"

Claiming that there is a consensus between Erdoğan and Özel regarding a 'return to the parliamentary system,' Özdağ continued:

"First, Erdoğan knows that it is almost impossible for him to get 51 percent again. Second, if someone else gets 51 percent, the power that would pass into someone else's hands could be used very heavily against Erdoğan. This is a huge risk for Erdoğan. His party could melt away completely. Therefore, he would prefer to be the leading party with 39 percent rather than losing with 49.8 percent. Parliamentary democracy will also greatly lighten the burden that the Nationalist Movement Party has placed on the AKP."

“A DIFFERENT PROCESS BEGAN AFTER THE ATEŞ CASE”

"Currently, especially after the Sinan Ateş murder case was transferred to the court, a different process has begun in Anatolia and in the big cities," said Özdağ, adding, "This is causing great damage to both the MHP and the AKP. After the mother spoke, after the wife spoke, and after the names were revealed, the public began to say very loudly, “Oh, such a thing cannot be.”"

“AKŞENER IS NOW WITHIN THE PEOPLE’S ALLIANCE”

Ümit Özdağ gave the following answer to the question, "What is Meral Akşener’s new political career plan?":

"That hair color change is the first step, or rather the last step, of the path to be walked with the AKP. The first steps were already taken long ago, and that is over. We will see what kind of function she will assume in the process from now on. Meral Akşener is within Turkish politics. But she is now continuing her politics as part of the People’s Alliance (Cumhur İttifakı)."