She had joined the AKP from the Future Party... A bombshell claim from Ertuğrul Özkök about Serap Yazıcı Özbudun: What assurance did she receive from Erdoğan?

The 8th Ordinary Grand Congress of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) took place yesterday at the Ankara Sports Hall with high attendance.

One of the most notable developments of the congress was the official joining of the AKP by Antalya MP Serap Yazıcı Özbudun, who had resigned from the Future Party.

While Özbudun's transition to the AKP caused a stir in political circles, a claim put forward by journalist Ertuğrul Özkök further fueled the debate.

Speaking during a broadcast on Halk TV, Özkök stated that there is a major contradiction between the statements Serap Yazıcı Özbudun made in the past and her joining the AKP.

''A SHADOW OF ILLEGITIMACY FELL ON THE 2017 REFERENDUM''

Recalling the interview Serap Yazıcı Özbudun gave to T24 on December 11, 2023, Özkök used the following expressions:

"Ms. Serap was saying that a heavy price is being paid today for the fact that the presidential system in Turkey could not be discussed freely. She had expressed that a process of repression began after the July 15 coup attempt and that the Presidential Government System was approved under these conditions. She even brought serious criticisms from a legal perspective, stating that this system could not be accepted."

Özkök also recalled the following statements from Özbudun's interview:

“The Presidential Government System was accepted in a post-coup environment of repression.”

“Article 14 of the Constitution, which is cited as the justification for Can Atalay's imprisonment, has no legal basis.”

“The Court of Cassation made decisions that exceeded its authority.”

“A serious shadow of illegitimacy fell on the 2017 referendum. The 'no' votes were more than the 'yes' votes.”

Reminding of these statements, Özkök said, “Now, how did someone who said these words choose to join the AK Party? As a citizen, I feel betrayed.”

''DID SHE RECEIVE ASSURANCE FROM THE PRESIDENT?''

Questioning the process of Özbudun's transition to the AKP and emphasizing that the public expects an explanation on this matter, Özkök used the following expressions:

"Ms. Serap was elected with the votes of the opposition. Now those voters have the right to ask this question: What changed in the process of joining the AKP after saying these things? What kind of guarantee did she receive that things would be better? Did she perhaps receive an assurance from the President regarding what she said in the past?"

''OFFERED TO WRITE A LIBERAL CONSTITUTION''

Ertuğrul Özkök continued his words by stating that he had heard rumors that a special offer was made to Özbudun by the AKP to write a constitution, saying:

"I received information that went like this: Through an Antalya MP, Ms. Serap was told, 'A liberal constitution will be written, you take the lead, you write it.' Well, how liberal can a constitution prepared with the phrase 'will get used to the New Turkey' be? Considering the criticisms she made in the past, she needs to explain to the public how this process will take shape."