'The formula for solving the problem in the People's Alliance is hidden with me'

AKP was among the top 3 prominent figures in the founding cadre. He held positions such as Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Deputy Prime Minister, and Government Spokesperson. 

Bülent Arınç answered questions from Can Bursalı of Gazete Duvar.

Arınç made several assessments ranging from the crisis in the judiciary to the murder of Sinan Ateş, and from the results of the March 31 local elections to the identity of the AKP and the steps it needs to take. 

Bülent Arınç said the following regarding the murder of former Ülkü Ocakları President Sinan Ateş: 

“The Sinan Ateş case is a very painful event. We were all saddened. It saddened us all personally that a person who showed great loyalty to his leader, who read, thought, and was very loved in his circle, fell victim to a base conspiracy and became the target of a planned murder. As a criminal lawyer, I must say that with the decision to be made regarding the instigators and intermediaries alongside the primary perpetrators, his family might perhaps become hopeful about justice. His wife and two children visited all parties except the MHP, explained their troubles, and offered to share their pain. Starting with our President, he will do what he can, keeping the promise he made to his little daughter. I hope that the judicial process does not resemble some previous judicial processes. For example, the Hrant Dink incident occurred during my time as Speaker of the TBMM. But the judicial process regarding Hrant Dink cannot be considered 100 percent complete either. The perpetrator is walking around swinging his prayer beads.”

When asked, “The results of the March 31 local elections are known. Did you feel a sense of defeat?” Bülent Arınç gave the following response: 

“The result was not what we wanted. The AK Party did not achieve success, let me state this clearly. But none of the people in front of the AK Party, starting with our President, want to use the word defeat or the word failure. We are losing the biggest cities, and we have been losing them for how many times now. We are winning the places we do win with declining votes. If there is a major loss, it must be compensated. It is necessary to perform the analyses and analytical work as soon as possible and find answers to the questions of where this result came from and how we can become the first and strongest party again by eliminating this result. Our President has been at the front and head of this business for 22 years. Especially since 2018, he has been both the party chairman and the President, the head of the executive branch. I think he will make the best evaluations. And he will take the necessary measures in time. When you look at it generally, it appears that the successful party is someone else.”

“THE FORMULA IS HIDDEN WITH ME”

Bülent Arınç answered the question, “As long as the AK Party's togetherness in the People's Alliance continues, is it possible for it to return to its conservative democratic identity?” as follows: 

“It is very possible to return.”

When asked, “What is the formula for this in your opinion?” Arınç said, “The formula is hidden with me.”

“WE CANNOT BE MORE NATIONALIST OR IDEALIST THAN OTHERS”

Upon the question, “Have you presented this formula to the relevant places?” Arınç made the following statement: 

“We talk partially, and if they say 'come on, let's see how this matter will be,' I am ready to go and tell everything. As long as they have the intention. I say this to those who are interested and those who are not. Every party has an identity. Now, parties without an identity are experiencing trouble. There are parties that were established by leaving the AK Party. We see how many votes they received in the elections. It is not very clear whether they are alive or not. There are parties that left the CHP. It is not clear at all whether they are alive or not. The things that make the AK Party the AK Party are being just, being against unfair gain, and being against corruption and poverty. Because I remember a hadith that says there is a very thin veil between poverty and disbelief. One should not be poor. We must save our people from poverty. We accepted these and our votes never fell below 50 percent. We entered 20 elections, we were successful in all of them. I am not referring to the very last ones. We held 10 referendums, by ourselves. While the MHP was against us, while the CHP was against us, we won the referendums with 58 percent. We must possess all of these again. If the MHP's line is a nationalist line, we respect that. Turkey also needs such a party. But we are conservative democrats. As the AK Party, we are obliged to live within our own identity. We cannot be more nationalist than some, we cannot be more idealist than some, we cannot be more nationalist-secularist than some, we cannot be more of this or that than some. Our identity is determined, these are still in our charter and our program. An erosion was seen in these areas, of course, this is also related to the events we experienced internally.”

“THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY AND THE OFFICE OF THE PARTY CHAIRMANSHIP MUST BE SEPARATED”

Bülent Arınç called on President Erdoğan and said that he should leave the post of AKP Chairman. 

When asked, “The AK Party is 23 years old, it has been in power for 22 years. If we include the People's Alliance period, it has always been in power alone. What is your party's first homework?” Arınç replied as follows: 

“Justice will be the priority over everything. A hand will be extended to the economy and social peace. But justice is the foundation of everything. We must come to the understanding of 'let justice be served, even if the world collapses' as soon as possible. Unjust arrests, rights violations in the judiciary… A judiciary and an understanding of justice that will eliminate all of these must be declared immediately. For example, if I were in the place of our President, tomorrow I would say, 'Oh nation, we have problems in the country. I have been here for so many years, I have done very correct things, but I have also done things that were wrong. I promise you, I am as much a complainant as you are about whatever complaints you have regarding justice, law, and the judiciary. From now on, I ask the following from these institutions: Just let justice be served. Do not open your ears to any instructions. Please do not look at any signals. Whatever the file in front of you is, make your decision accordingly.' If he said this, the judiciary is already ready for it. I think our President needs to relieve the public in this regard.

My final opinion is this. The office of the Presidency and the office of the Party Chairmanship must be separated. Even on the day he announces this, we will add 5 points to it.”