It is stated that the investment fund scandal, which came to the agenda on September 17, is affecting the AKP's party work and the program prepared for the 2028 elections. While criticisms regarding negligence and abuse of office in public institutions are being voiced within the party, the view that the names linked to the fund should be disclosed is coming to the fore. Some AKP members argue that what has happened casts a shadow over the entire party and are demanding that the list be released.
THE FUND SCANDAL HAS MOVED TO THE TOP OF THE PARTY AGENDA
According to a report by Besti Karalar from Ekonomim, the impact of the investment fund scandal on party work and the disruption of preparations ahead of the 2028 elections are being discussed within the AKP. In party corridors, assessments such as “There is negligence in public institutions, there is abuse of office, and most importantly, there is an organizational structure” are being made, while reactions are expressed with the words, “Should the entire party be cast under suspicion because of a few who succumbed to their greed?”
It is stated that 2027 is planned as a year of reform in the AKP, and that work should be done on goals and projects for the 2028 elections. However, there is criticism within the party that the focus of the agenda on the fund scandal is overshadowing other work. It is observed that these reactions are now being voiced not only in closed meetings but also in public statements.
THERE ARE CALLS WITHIN THE AKP FOR THE FUND LIST TO BE DISCLOSED
In assessments regarding priority agenda items within the party, criticisms such as “The goal of a Turkey without terrorism has not been explained to the public enough, new reforms and new projects are being delayed, the new Constitutional amendment was among the priority issues for October, November has arrived and it hasn't even been opened for discussion” are coming to the fore.
AKP officials who want the list regarding the fund scandal to be disclosed express the view that “We cannot continue on our path without the fund list being announced.” The same individuals, stating that allegations of an organizational structure as well as negligence and abuse of office in public institutions must be clarified, express their reactions with the words, “Should the entire party be cast under suspicion because of a few who succumbed to their greed?”
SUCCESSIVE STATEMENTS FROM AKP FIGURES
One of the first open reactions to the fund scandal came from AKP Group Deputy Chairman Özlem Zengin at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). Zengin called for the “fund list to be disclosed.” Subsequently, AKP Group Deputy Chairman Abdülhamit Gül also came to the agenda with his statements on the matter.
Istanbul MP Serkan Bayram expressed his reaction with the words “I am ashamed.”
AKP Deputy Chairman Mustafa Elitaş also stated in his remarks regarding the investigation, "Whose baby, whose son, whose child it may be, there is no discrimination. President Erdoğan has taken this matter in hand. Hopefully, he will do what is necessary.”
CONFESSION AND REPAYMENT CALL FROM ALİ ÖZKAYA
AKP Afyonkarahisar MP Ali Özkaya also made a call to businesspeople and public officials in his statement regarding the fund scandal.
Özkaya said, “Greedy businesspeople and the public officials who do business with them must urgently confess, express their remorse, and return all wealth obtained through illicit means to the specified account of the Treasury/CMB. No one, regardless of their title or position, has any chance or possibility of escaping this criminal investigation.”
CLAIMS OF A LIST IN AKP CORRIDORS
The fact that AKP executives have made similar statements regarding the fund scandal in recent days has caused the discussions within the party to be reflected more in the public eye.
In AKP corridors, claims are also being voiced that the list containing the names linked to the fund could be announced soon. Those within the party who argue that the list should be disclosed and the allegations clarified share the view that other political work cannot be carried out effectively before the fund scandal falls off the agenda.
News Source: 12punto
