New statement from Bülent Arınç regarding his controversial criticism of Melih Gökçek: They must show tolerance

Arınç issued a statement regarding the public debate that began following his speech at the wedding ceremony of Ahmet Davutoğlu's son. Arınç argued that his speech was “taken out of context and twisted to mean other things.” At the wedding, Arınç had criticized Gökçek's past statements, saying, "He wanted to say 'I jumped every time' with gum in his mouth; I watched it with shame." Arınç's remarks were met with applause from the guests.

Reacting to the comments made about him on social media, Arınç said he "leaves the insults of some people to God."

“Our path, our cause, and our faith with Erdoğan are one”

Explaining the reason for his speech, Arınç stated that he served as one of the closest aides to President Erdoğan for over 5 years and to Davutoğlu for approximately 1.5 years during their respective terms as prime minister.

Arınç expressed that he worked "harmoniously" with both individuals.

Stating that he shares a "law of brotherhood" with Erdoğan dating back to the past, Arınç recounted that they grew up together in the National Turkish Student Union (MTTB) and worked together in politics during the National Salvation Party (MSP), Welfare Party (Refah), and Virtue Party (Fazilet) eras.

Arınç expressed his reaction with the following words:

"A debate was initiated in the public eye due to the speech I gave at Mr. Davutoğlu's child's wedding ceremony. Certain purposeful and ill-intentioned people, as always, took our words out of context and twisted them into other meanings.

First of all, I must state that I thank Fatih Mayor Mr. Ergün Turan for the extremely kind speech he gave after mine. I have known and followed Mr. Ergün closely since his time as TOKİ President. He is an exceptionally successful mayor who has provided great services to Fatih for two terms; he is a source of pride with his morality, diligence, and personality.

Secondly, I leave the rude statements made on social media by people who could be considered my eternal enemies, some of whom lack morality and dignity, to God. I know well how to settle scores with them, but I return the insults they have uttered to them in kind.

As a third point, I would like to explain why I made such a speech. I served as the closest aide to our President Mr. Erdoğan for over 5 years and to Mr. Davutoğlu for about 1.5 years during their premierships, and I am proud of this. During the terms of both our prime ministers—especially starting from the process we began with Mr. Erdoğan—I performed my duty with great loyalty in the best way possible; I did not fail in showing them respect and did not go beyond their instructions. We continued the same harmonious work with Mr. Davutoğlu.

"We founded our AK Party by performing the most auspicious service to Turkey"

As I have stated before, we have a law of brotherhood with our President that dates back to the past. We struggled together on these paths; we grew up in the National Turkish Student Union. During the National Salvation Party era, they were young and I was the provincial head; we all made efforts together in the Welfare and Virtue parties. When I was a member of parliament, he was our mayor. Afterwards, we founded our AK Party by performing the most auspicious service to Turkey; he became our leader, our chairman, and our prime minister.

To this day, we have never broken away from each other or come face to face. Our path, our cause, and our faith with our President are one. But some differences in temperament are quite natural. In essence, we are comrades in this cause. We shared a destiny. We worked together to end tutelage. Furthermore, I have never been an opponent of the party; not only did I never think of leaving the AK Party, but I also pushed away any offers I received. We said, "This party is our home, he is our leader and chairman"; everyone knows we have been giving this answer for at least 10 years.

Therefore, protecting his legal rights is our primary duty. If a truly insulting remark intended to disparage him has been made, we would be the first to punish it. However, one must not forget: in Turkey's state tradition and in our people's perspective on the President, especially for a leader who has provided such great services, not a single person among 86 million would even think of insulting him.

"The chairmen of parties can also criticize each other in the harshest way due to these titles"

It is a known fact that recently, baseless individuals have been intentionally insulting. However, we must also know that individuals with political identities must show more tolerance toward criticisms—no matter how harsh they may be. Current judicial and ECHR rulings also show that in the Presidential government system after 2018, the President also holds a political identity and the duty of party chairmanship. The chairmen of parties can also criticize each other in the harshest way due to these titles.

If a bad intention or injustice is to be sought in these words, then those who were in other parties in the past and joined the AK Party today, or those who are in the People's Alliance (Cumhur İttifakı) and utter words that could be considered direct insults, should probably also be judged.

Even though I know this is wrong, I wanted to voice the injustice done to a person known for his decency and deep respect for our President. Our President knows me much better than you do; I have been an advocate for those who have suffered injustice throughout my life, and I have been tried myself. We were victims of the judiciary in the past; our President went to prison, and I was tried with a 4.5-year sentence and turned back from the prison door after 2.5 years. Our late teacher Erbakan also experienced these processes and saw prison. Those who lie on feather beds today and pass judgment cannot comment on this struggle we gave in any way."

A debate was initiated in the public eye due to the speech I gave at Mr. Davutoğlu's child's wedding ceremony. Certain purposeful and ill-intentioned people, as always, took our words out of context and twisted them into other meanings.

First of all, I must state that my speech...

— Bülent Arınç (@bulent_arinc) September 14, 2026

News Source: 12punto