Striking remarks in the 'post-Erdoğan era' debate: Claims about Hakan Fidan and Soylu! 'He has been purged'

Zafer Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ made assessments regarding the question long debated in Ankara: "Who will take over the leadership of the ruling party after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan?"

Visiting T24, Özdağ answered questions from journalist Tolga Şardan. Özdağ argued that if leadership discussions within the AKP regarding the post-Erdoğan era come to the agenda, President Erdoğan politically punishes those individuals.

"SOYLU WAS PURGED"

Özdağ claimed that individuals whose names emerge as leadership candidates within the AKP are gradually neutralized.

Evaluating the removal of former Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu from office within this framework, Özdağ stated the following:

"The truth is, as a leader, Erdoğan very successfully purges anyone who emerges or whose name is mentioned as a leadership candidate. Süleyman Soylu was purged and removed from the ministry. Hulusi Akar was purged and removed from the ministry."

"HE MUST REGRET HIS NAME BEING MENTIONED"

Commenting on Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, another name frequently mentioned in Ankara's political circles, Özdağ said that Fidan might have experienced a difficult process after his name was brought up.

Özdağ expressed the following on this matter:

"That is what is being said. Hakan Fidan's name was the last to be mentioned. But I think now, 'he must regret his name being mentioned.' He went through a very heavy process, and perhaps he continues to do so. In summary, Erdoğan thinks that only he can determine who will come after him, and he politically punishes anyone whose name is mentioned without his approval."

"BİLAL ERDOĞAN'S PROMINENCE IS WITH FATHER ERDOĞAN'S APPROVAL"

Özdağ was also asked about President Erdoğan's son, Bilal Erdoğan, who has become more visible in the public eye recently.

Özdağ gave the following response to this question:

"Of course, absolutely. It is not possible for son Erdoğan to come to the forefront like this without father Erdoğan's approval."

"THERE IS NO AKP WITHOUT ERDOĞAN"

Özdağ answered the question regarding the political future of the AKP in the post-Erdoğan era by giving examples from the past.

Drawing attention to President Erdoğan's decisive role within the political movement, Özdağ stated the following:

"There is no AKP without Erdoğan. Let me put it more clearly: The Motherland Party (ANAP) survived for 10 years without Turgut Özal, but the AKP cannot survive."