Ümit Özdağ proposes early elections to the government

Zafer Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ appeared before cameras following a Presidential Council meeting held at his party's headquarters. Arguing that Turkey is facing a serious crisis of democracy and state, Özdağ described the "absolute nullity" decision regarding the Republican People's Party (CHP) as a threat to the functioning of democracy.

Speaking during the press conference, Özdağ said, "What is happening shows that elections have gone beyond mere formality and that Turkey is being dragged toward an electoral understanding like that in North Korea or Russia. It has been understood once again that the government wants to move the country toward an authoritarian and hegemonic single-party system."

Özdağ emphasized that they are not concerned with the internal debates or factions of the CHP, and that the Zafer Party's priority is the protection of the state's institutional structure and the rule of law. "As we stated last night, and as we will continue to state with determination today and hereafter, we will continue to defend the state and democracy without compromising on Atatürk's founding values," he said.

Describing the steps taken toward the Supreme Election Council (YSK), a constitutional body, as an "attempted coup against the powers of the judiciary," Özdağ stated that there is an aim to include the CHP in the newly formed "DAM Alliance," consisting of the AK Party, MHP, and DEM. He claimed that this new structure aims to facilitate constitutional amendments in Parliament. Furthermore, he expressed that the negotiations allegedly to be held with the terrorist organization PKK and Abdullah Öcalan have been named "Terror-Free Turkey," but that in essence, this would mean bowing to the demands of terrorism.

Underlining that the process is opening the door to an early election atmosphere, Özdağ announced that the Zafer Party is ready for elections at any moment with both its organizations and its staff. Asserting that the government, which is engaging in political engineering, will see the public's reaction at the ballot box, Özdağ cited the 2019 Istanbul elections as an example, saying, "They tried this in the 2019 Istanbul elections and saw the result in the second election, but they do not seem to have learned a lesson from it. Yes, come on, let's go to an early election. Let us ask the Turkish people about these actions you are taking. I challenge you."

Stating that they visited the CHP Headquarters after returning to Ankara late at night and conveyed once again to CHP leader Özgür Özel that they stand by democracy and the rule of law, Özdağ emphasized that an early election would lead Turkey out of its current crisis environment.

"Because the state crisis and the 'enemy criminal law' practices being experienced show that as long as this government remains in power, the liquidation and weakening of democracy, the rule of law, and the supporting institutions and columns of the state will continue. There is only one solution; that is to go to the nation and ask the nation. We are ready for this. Let's go to the polls."

News Source: 12punto