'Umbrella Party' agenda gains momentum: Preparations for a new group in Parliament
The resignation of Ankara MP Mustafa Nedim Yamalı from the Future Party (Gelecek Partisi) has accelerated efforts by the Felicity (Saadet), Future, and DEVA parties to form a broad umbrella party within the opposition. However, according to the DEVA Party, Ahmet Davutoğlu's statements have left the table with two options for the umbrella party. The structure, which aims for a broad opposition front, is also expected to include independent MPs who have left the Democrat Party and the IYI Party. The parties, which aim to unite under a common group in Parliament, state that the new structure will be clarified soon.
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Ankara MP Mustafa Nedim Yamalı announced his resignation from the Future Party. It is being discussed that Yamalı will join the AK Party. With Yamalı's resignation, the group formed by the Felicity and Future parties collapsed as it could no longer meet the 20-MP requirement.
This situation has accelerated the initiatives to establish an “umbrella party” in Parliament, which has been discussed for a long time among the Felicity, Future, and DEVA parties. If a consensus is reached, in addition to these three parties, independent MPs Cemal Enginyurt and Salih Uzun, who left the Democrat Party, as well as several independent MPs who resigned from the IYI Party, could join.
DECISION EXPECTED WITHIN A FEW DAYS
Party sources agree that Yamalı's resignation will accelerate this process. However, it is expected that the chairmen of the parties will come together within a day or two to reach a joint decision on how the consensus will be achieved. On the other hand, it is stated that the statement by Future Party Chairman Ahmet Davutoğlu, “My soul has never broken away from the AK Party,” has caused disagreements regarding the ‘Umbrella’ structure.
While Felicity Party sources recalled that Davutoğlu stated his words were taken out of context, DEVA Party Deputy Chairman İdris Şahin emphasized that they do not agree with the Future Party on the issue of Syria.
'WE ARE NOT OF THE SAME OPINION AS THE FUTURE PARTY'
Speaking about the ‘Umbrella Party’ structure, DEVA Party Deputy Chairman İdris Şahin said, “When the Felicity Party brought this proposal to us, Mr. Ali Babacan expressed in the programs he attended that we look at it positively in principle. It will be decided in the next day or two how this structure will be. The chairmen of the parties need to put it on the agenda and discuss it. Ahmet Davutoğlu has statements made after the developments in Syria and warm messages towards the AK Party. These issues will certainly come to the agenda. It is not possible to draw a roadmap by ignoring these. Their pros and cons will be discussed. We do not see the developments here as a victory. We are not of the same opinion as the Future Party on the issue of Syria. We were elected from the opposition, and we will continue in the opposition. We are determined on this matter.”
TWO OPTIONS FOR THE 'UMBRELLA PARTY'
Stating that their will to form a group continues, Şahin said:
“Our will to form a group continues. We desire this to happen with an umbrella structure. Whether it will be a two-party or three-party structure will become clear in the coming days. It needs to be resolved before the new year because since the group collapsed, the existing two political parties cannot benefit from this structure. An evaluation needs to be made by taking into account the established order in Parliament.”
GOAL: EXPANSION OF THE OPPOSITION
Stating that they want to form a broad opposition front, Şahin continued:
“Our goal is not just to cover three political parties, but to create a broader unity in the center-right. We have such an idea, but time will tell whether this will happen in a short time or not. We also want to include independent MPs in this structure. Cemal Enginyurt, Salih Uzun, and independent MPs who have left the IYI Party can also take part in this structure. Our desire is to create a structure that does not reflect the single color of any political party and brings together a broad opposition front.”
'IT WILL UNITE TURKEY'
Following the resignation of Ankara MP Mustafa Nedim Yamalı from the Future Party, all eyes turned to the Felicity Party. Stating that they do not expect resignations from their own party, Felicity Party officials said regarding the collapse of their parliamentary group, “A new combination formula is expected to be concluded soon.” Stating that the umbrella party structure is a model that will unite Turkey and pave the way for productive parliamentary negotiations, the officials stated that the corporate identities of the parties would not be harmed. Felicity Party sources said that the umbrella structure might remain until after the new year.