Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli made statements regarding the agenda at his party's group meeting in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM).
Speaking about the flood disaster that affected the Marmara Region, especially Istanbul, Bahçeli said, "While it is accepted that the rainfall was extraordinary, it is clear that infrastructure and zoning discipline were decisive in the resulting picture. The disaster has once again revealed how important it is to be prepared for catastrophes."
Here are the highlights from Bahçeli's speech:
FIGHTING DISASTERS
The extreme rainfall experienced in some of our cities, along with Istanbul, has caused loss of life and property, as well as injuries to many of our citizens. First of all, I once again wish for God's mercy upon our citizens who lost their lives and extend my condolences to their relatives and loved ones. I convey my get-well wishes to all our citizens affected by the rain and floods, and I wish a speedy recovery to the injured.
I express my gratitude to our institutions and their employees who are fighting the disaster with all their might. While it is accepted that the rainfall was extraordinary, it is clear that infrastructure and zoning discipline were decisive in the resulting picture.
The disaster has once again revealed why it is important to be prepared for catastrophes through planning, risk management, and preventive measures. Fighting disasters should be handled as a strategic public policy that encompasses all public institutions, local governments, scientific circles, and society. The transformation of risky areas should be based on minimizing the damage of natural disasters.
I believe that the losses suffered by our citizens affected by the disaster will be compensated and that the necessary measures will be taken so that similar incidents do not occur. I pray that God protects our country and our nation from all kinds of disasters and calamities.
FUND INVESTIGATION
"My esteemed fellow party members, since last week, judicial processes have been ongoing regarding both the fund investigation and corruption in municipalities, primarily the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. The effectiveness of policies aimed at ensuring sustainable growth and price stability depends on the healthy functioning of the financial system. The development of capital markets requires the markets to reach sufficient depth, the spread of capital to the base, and at the same time, the coordination of surveillance and audit functions for all financial markets to operate in stability. It is understood from the developments regarding the fund investigation that organized illicit acts have been committed through market-distorting transactions, manipulation, fraud, and breach of trust, targeting the stability of the Turkish economy. Undoubtedly, the strongest sanctions under the law will be applied to those who set their eyes on the hard-earned savings of our nation. In fact, I would like to state that we are pleased with the important steps taken to uncover the criminals and remedy the grievances, the fact that the legal regulation on the subject is on the agenda of the Parliament General Assembly, and the strong political will demonstrated to clarify the issue in all its dimensions and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
As I have emphasized before, these should be evaluated as an opportunity for purification, clearing, and addressing the underlying causes. Justice is not only about punishing the criminal but also about protecting the innocent and observing the rights of the victim. Our President's accurate statement that the price of exorbitant profits will be paid and that the state will not let anyone suffer has increased confidence in the realization of justice. Although we have some problems, the Turkish economy is on solid foundations. While defending the rights and laws of our nation, our party will also follow up on steps that will make a fair income distribution possible. The necessary moves to meet the expectations of our low-income citizens will certainly be made.
As I stated in my written statement dated October 3, 2026, carrying the state property, which is the summary of the labor and sweat of the entire public, on one's shoulders is a great responsibility. The justice and discipline of those who encroach upon state property lie in state morality.
"COURTS ARE NOT PLACES FOR POLITICAL DEMONSTRATIONS"
Any kind of conflict of interest that arises in areas such as tenders, zoning, licenses, real estate, subsidiaries, personnel, and public expenditures, extending from the IMM to many municipalities, is not only a problem concerning criminal law but also a lack of morality.
Instead of creating a personal agenda with political polemics while judicial processes are ongoing, it would be in the interest of those concerned to respond to the allegations on a legal basis.
Courts are not places for political demonstrations, but places where the right to defense is essential.
Our nation is following the developments closely and expects justice to be served as soon as possible.
MESSAGE ON PRESS FREEDOM: IT IS NOT THE FREEDOM TO COMMIT CRIMES
Another issue within the scope of the investigations concerns the debates on press freedom. We believe that a free press is one of the indispensable elements of democratic societies and that the media should freely fulfill its duty to inform the public. However, we think that responsibility is as valuable as freedom, and law is as valuable as ratings.
Press freedom is not the freedom to commit crimes, and it should not be. In fact, media organizations, like all other institutions, bear responsibility before the law.
The essential thing is not to fall into lawlessness by turning a blind eye to acts contrary to the law while defending press freedom. Because if press freedom is the guarantee of democracy, adherence to the law and ethical responsibility are the fundamental pillars of this freedom.
It is unacceptable for any attempt to sabotage the climate of peace and trust in an environment where Turkey stands out with economic, political, and diplomatic successes, where the goals of a Terror-Free Turkey and a Terror-Free Region are being transformed into action, and where lawlessness is being addressed. The perception being created through social media and the provocations made by FETÖ accounts should not be given credit, and one should act in accordance with official statements.
Attempts to leave Turkey facing directed social reactions based on insecurity must definitely be prevented.
It is a national responsibility to place historical actors in their proper places within the flow of history and to transform historical events into lessons free from revanchist feelings and the state of the winner.
This responsibility is to not look at history with harmful ideas and myopic glasses, and to pursue the truth in the history book, which is often blackened by the ideological debates of populist politics. Otherwise, facing fragmented selves, schizophrenic identities, and a divided society will be inevitable.
A VERY STERN CYPRUS MESSAGE FROM BAHÇELİ
While we are focused on a Terror-Free Turkey and a Terror-Free Region, provocations continue in the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus. We are following the contacts between the TRNC representatives and the Greek side closely. The allegations reflected in the Greek press and not denied, regarding the handover of Varosha to UN administration and the operation of the Famagusta Port under the supervision of the European Commission, present a grave picture regarding the sovereign rights of the Turkish Cypriots.
A United Cyprus Federation is a raw dream and a disaster for Turkish sovereignty. In this period when the Greek administration has undertaken the mission of being Israel's outpost in Cyprus, I invite our brothers living in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to be vigilant, and I say: Cyprus has been Turkish for centuries, and it will remain Turkish forever."
News Source: 12punto
