AKP Deputy Chairman Mustafa Şen: Mansur Bey is leading in most polls

AKP Deputy Chairman Mustafa Şen answered questions from Hande Fırat and Zafer Şahin on CNN Türk.

In his speech, Şen stated, "The electorate is divided in two. Just like in the polls we conducted during the elections in May, there are fluctuations in small margins. The parties are holding their positions there. It is also a toss-up in Istanbul."

"ISTANBUL HAS BEEN WASTED BY THE CURRENT MAYOR"

Here are Şen's statements:

"Istanbul is a city that has been wasted by the current mayor. It is such a city that even serving it is enough of a reason to have been born. Murat Kurum says that for the wasted city, it is only Istanbul. This is very valuable.

Traffic and transportation come out in first place in the polls. Earthquake and housing follow. The electorate is divided in two. Just like in the polls we conducted during the elections in May, there are fluctuations in small margins. The parties are holding their positions there. It is also a toss-up in Istanbul. Saying the situation is a toss-up in Istanbul means it is neck-and-neck. The figures these days are volatile figures. The candidates will really start working after this."

"THE ONE WHO WORKS WELL WILL WIN"

We desired to continue as the People's Alliance. The New Welfare Party (Yeniden Refah Partisi) fielded a candidate. That is their preference. We respect it. In February 2002, the AK Party had not yet entered the election process. We tested the situation in February and the AK Party came out at 34.3. In November, it came out at 34.66. This is a situation related to the voter having made up their mind. In another election, opinions changed by 3-4 points on Saturday for an election held on Sunday. The last week is more decisive for voter behavior. We will start to see it more clearly. The one who works well will win.

THE LATEST SITUATION IN ANKARA

Ankara is the capital. The capital has lost its sparkle. A decision has not been made here yet either. Mansur Bey is leading in most of the polls. In some, Turgut Altınok is leading. Let us wait for the candidates to show themselves in the field.

"WE STARTED BEHIND IN IZMIR AND THE GAP IS CLOSING"

With Hamza Dağ, the AK Party is increasing its votes in Izmir. We started behind in Ankara and the gap is closing. There is a similar situation in Izmir. Some deputies go to their provinces, some people pick them up from the airport, and then they go to their mansions. There cannot be such a deputy. Hamza Dağ was already a politician in Izmir who became like a close friend with the people on the streets; that is where he comes from. CHP members tell him, 'If you had been the CHP candidate, we would have voted for you.'

"OUR IDEOLOGIES AND POLITICAL VIEWS ARE DIVERGING"

We have analyzed it. Izmir consists of 3 rings. In the first ring, the vote rate is low; in the second ring, it is high; in the third ring, it is in the middle. Our values are the same. Our ideologies and political views are diverging. Hamza Bey is working to maximize the vote increase in the second zone.

"OUR PRESIDENT DOES NOT HAVE A SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION"

The place we will take is Istanbul. Our President does not have a specific instruction. His instruction is this: on the evening of the election last year, he said, 'We are starting the local elections now.' He said we will take Istanbul and Ankara and we will work accordingly. He took our word on this.

I see that our Antalya mayor will clearly win. It is seen that we will take it. That is how it appears in our research. The undecided voter rate in Istanbul is 15 percent. They are also divided down the middle. Ideology and party identity are becoming more decisive."

News Source: 12punto