Criticism from AKP figures regarding their party's 23rd anniversary: 'Strange times'

Bülent Arınç, one of the party's founders, emphasized "change" in a message posted on his X account, calling for "leaving resentment and bitterness aside."

ARINÇ: "WE HAVE FAILED IN SOME AREAS"

Stressing that they have experienced "certain problems," Arınç said, "We must also admit that we have failed in some areas. That is why our nation is making different demands. The latest election results prove this."

Yasin Aktay, a columnist for the pro-government newspaper Yeni Şafak who served as an advisor to AKP Chairman and President Erdoğan during his premiership, questioned the competence of the current staff in overcoming the party's challenges:

"Of course, how much the AK Party will remain committed to its roots—which are the reason for its existence—and how much it can carry out its mission derived from this, as well as whether the current party staff, excluding Erdoğan, possess the understanding and intention to carry this mission, is a question that needs to be addressed."

The AK Party began as the story of the march to power of the Anatolian people, who had been excluded by the system, by creating an army of believers. The 'Movement of the Virtuous,' which was the first nucleus of our AK Party, was a consensus reached by our noble nation against corruption, poverty, and bans...

— Bülent Arınç (@bulent_arinc) August 14, 2024

MİROĞLU: "WE ARE GOING THROUGH THE 'STRANGE TIMES' OF THE AK PARTY"

AKP MKYK (Central Decision and Executive Board) member Orhan Miroğlu also leveled criticisms at his party in his 23rd-anniversary message.

Stating that "those in the AK Party who are not pursuing their own cause but the cause of Turkey are in a difficult situation today," Miroğlu said, "We are going through the 'strange times' of the AK Party; these are strange times where we have moved away from its founding paradigm."

Claiming that Turkey 'needs the founding philosophy of the AKP,' Miroğlu stated, "They see and are saddened that the blending of exclusionary nationalism with a sauce of Eurasianism and the 'Turkish-Islamic' synthesis, and its use in the political arena, does not benefit the AK Party, but rather radical nationalism—the 'rabid nationalism' pointed out by Tuğrul Türkeş."

The AK Party, for which almost every voter has cast a vote at least once in the last 23 years, will celebrate its 23rd birthday today.
May it be auspicious for our country.
The history and legacy of the AK Party have been recorded in our country's political heritage through democratic reforms and struggles against tutelage and coups... pic.twitter.com/Jr5XGhnHGs

— Orhan Miroğlu (@OrhanMiroglu) August 14, 2024

METİNER: "WE HAVE BECOME THE 'PARTY OF THE STATE'"

Former AKP MP Mehmet Metiner said that the AKP has transformed from the 'party of the nation' into the 'party of the state.' Metiner shared the following message:

"The AK Party must immediately put an end to the dominance of the bureaucratic-civil servant mentality and the presence of politicians who act like oligarchs within its ranks. What our nation wants is: A new AK Party, that is, an AK Party that belongs to them. May our anniversary be an occasion for this desire to materialize. I congratulate you in advance." 

OUR ANNIVERSARY...
IS IT POSSIBLE TO BUILD A NEW AK PARTY?

Today is the 23rd anniversary of our AK Party.

Our blessed march under the leadership of the Chief continues.

Although I cannot physically attend the celebration ceremony in Ankara to which I was invited today, I am there in spirit.

Behind the Chief...

— Mehmet Metiner (@MetinerBasin) August 14, 2024

News Source: 12punto

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