YENİ Party has submitted its defense to the Constitutional Court (AYM) regarding the name dispute that began following an application by the Yenilik Party. Party officials stated that the application has no bearing on the party's legal personality, membership count, or donations.
The YENİ Party Central Executive Board (MYK), meeting at the party headquarters under the chairmanship of Chairman Özgür Özel, evaluated both the legal process and preparations for the 1st Ordinary Congress planned for November 14-15 during a meeting that lasted approximately four hours.
The meeting also addressed the fund crisis, the upcoming General Assembly and committee work in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), field programs for members of parliament, and current political developments.
It was learned that after the AYM placed the Yenilik Party's application on its agenda and requested a defense from YENİ Party, the party submitted its defense to the court on October 5. Party officials stated that if the AYM concludes that there is confusion between the names, the process will be managed according to the timing of the ruling.
Officials noted that if a potential confusion ruling is issued before the congress, a change could be made at the 1st Ordinary Congress by a decision of the Founders' Board; if the ruling is issued after the congress, an extraordinary congress might be required. Emphasizing that a name change is not on the agenda, officials commented, "In such a case, we would say 'The Nation's New Party,' 'The People's New Party,' or 'The Party of Change's New Party.' But we will keep the name 'yeni'."
Party management holds the view that voters evaluate a political party not just by its name, but also by its emblem, slogan, and general appearance. Officials argued that past rulings support this thesis and expressed their expectation that the AYM will rule that there is no confusion.
CONGRESS PREPARATIONS AND MEMBERSHIP GOAL
Within the scope of YENİ Party's congress calendar, district primary elections and district congresses have been completed. According to party sources, primary election ballot boxes were set up in 307 districts; in 146 of these districts, more than one candidate competed. As a result of the district congresses, approximately half of the founding district chairs have changed.
Provincial congresses are scheduled to begin on October 18. It was reported that citizens who became party members by 23:59 on October 5 will be able to vote in the primary elections for provincial presidencies. While a preparation committee has been established for the congress, which is planned to be held at the Ankara Arena on November 14-15, it was learned that work on slogans and themes is ongoing.
It was stated that the party's current membership count is 745 thousand 790, and the goal is to reach 1 million members by the new year. Officials noted that members voting in congresses has had a positive impact on memberships, and that the chairman will also be determined by the members.
The latest status of donations was also evaluated at the MYK meeting. Party sources reported that donations have reached approximately 580 million liras; 330 million liras of this consists of direct donations from citizens, while the remainder consists of membership and dues fees.
The fund crisis was also among the important agenda items of the meeting. YENİ Party officials stated that they will insist on their demands for the establishment of a parliamentary research committee, saying, "We will hold them accountable for every single penny stolen from the citizen's pocket."
YENİ Party will hold a press conference in front of the AYM on October 7 at 12:00 with the participation of Özgür Özel. The party will call for priority evaluation of its application challenging the legal regulation regarding the transfer of BTK authorities to the Cyber Security Presidency. Institutions, associations, and individuals whose social media accounts were blocked within the scope of "My Family is Safe" operations were also invited to the statement.
News Source: 12punto
