YENİ Party Chairman Özgür Özel made evaluations following the midterm elections held in the US. Visiting the grave of former Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit at the State Cemetery on the 20th anniversary of his death, Özel answered questions from members of the press after the program.
Interpreting the election results in the US as a setback for the political line supported by President Donald Trump, Özel also criticized the relationship the government in Turkey has established with the Trump administration. Özel stated, "Those whom Trump loves are losing one by one. And those who love Trump are seeing who they trusted and what state those they trusted so much have fallen into. There is a tragic situation for both Turkey and America."
Saying that he thought "Humanity is not dead" while following the election results, Özel targeted Trump, saying, "We have all seen together what has become of someone who mocks the intellect, honor, and pride of humanity, who treats everyone like children, and who mocks the world."
CRITICISM OF TRUMP AND ERDOĞAN
Özel also touched upon the political closeness between Trump and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. "Almost the only person in America who loves Erdoğan is running America. And in Turkey, the only person who loves Trump is running Turkey," said Özel, arguing that the two leaders relied too much on the support they received from each other.
Stating that he sees the government's relations with the US administration as a search for legitimacy in domestic politics, Özel said that the support received from the Trump administration has lost its meaning. Özel said, "It has become clear how meaningful the legitimacy obtained from Trump is. What is given to Trump is being given from the pockets and the treasury of this nation. Let those who hope for help from Trump think about it."
Emphasizing that the YENİ Party does not tie its own political future to developments in the US, Özel said, "We did not hope for help from Trump to come to power, nor do we hope for help from Trump's loss as an opposition. Anyone who is dependent on Trump has lost hope in the nation."
It was reported that in the midterm elections held in the US on November 3, 2026, Trump's Republican Party suffered significant losses, the Democratic Party gained a majority in both houses of Congress, and won governorships in some states. Özel interpreted this picture as a sign of change in world politics.
At the end of his speech, Özel stated, "The falling leaves continue for authoritarian, populist leaders. Autumn is traveling the whole world. This falling of leaves will continue."
Touching on the fund investigation in his statement, Özel compared the re-summoning of former Minister of Family and Social Policies Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya to testify with the actions taken against opposition mayors. Özel said, "If there is law in this country, it must treat everyone equally."
News Source: 12punto
