MHP leader Bahçeli says AKP, CHP should form alliance

Duvar English

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ally, far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli on June 12 stated that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) should form an alliance. 

In a statement, Bahçeli said, “It is the sincere wish of the MHP that a broad-based alliance between the AKP and the CHP if formed with the support of the other elements of the Table of Six.”

The statement came one day after President and AKP leader Erdoğan visited the CHP headquarters and also met with Ayşe Ateş, the wife of the former Grey Wolves head Sinan Ateş who was assassinated in 2022.

Bahçeli said a new equation with many unknowns is being constructed based on the search for normalization and détente between political parties following the March 31st local elections.

After the AKP’s defeat in the election, Erdoğan called for a “normalization” period in the politics.

“The MHP will certainly not have the slightest discomfort in evaluating such dialogues as reasonable and logical, as long as they are in good faith, constructive, and in favor of the nation and the country. There is never an end and result to polarization and fighting. However, it is beyond any kind of explanation that the traffic of contacts and negotiations, which is at the top of the hot agenda, has turned into a smear campaign targeting the MHP,” Bahçeli said.

Bahçeli said some people claim that MHP is against normalization. “The widespread assassination of the Nationalist Movement's reputation through a murder case for which an indictment is being prepared, the constant polishing of some of the names accompanying this assassination, is not a search for rights and law, but a full attempt to poison the domestic peace and peace environment,” he said, referring to the Sinan Ateş case. 

“The MHP will definitely be present at the hearing of the aforementioned case to be held on July 1, 2024, and will settle accounts with the dark games before the Turkish judiciary,” he added.

Regarding the rumours of the cracks in the alliance between the AKP and MHP, Bahçeli said, “If the MHP is considered and described as a barrier to the sustainability of the atmosphere of normalization and détente, and if there is a broad alliance on this issue, our responsibility is to risk all kinds of sacrifices for the sake of our country and our nation, and to do what is necessary with peace of mind. It is the sincere wish of the MHP that a broad-based alliance between the AKP and the CHP is formed with the support of the other elements of the Table of Six, taking into account the constant smearing by the dissatisfied segment within the AKP.”

“Despite this, our commitment to the People's Alliance will continue with determination, and our support for the law proposals in the Turkish Grand National Assembly will continue. Moreover, it is not possible for us to compromise on the People's Alliance, and to back down from its principles and goals,” he added.

Bahçeli lastly noted that they would “stand by and behind our President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan until the end.” “We respect Mr. President's meetings, the networks he has established, the bilateral contacts he has made, and we once again act with renunciation and take initiative for free in order to make him more comfortable, and we share this preference with our beloved nation.”

Following his statement, AKP Spokesperson Ömer Çelik said the ruling People's Alliance continues on its way with determination. "As the People's Alliance we will continue to sign strong policies to carry our country into the future and serve our nation to achieve the goals of the Century of Turkey."

Erdoğan’s meetings

On June 11, President and AKP leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan paid a return visit to main-opposition CHP leader Özgür Özel, marking the first visit to CHP’s headquarters after 18 years.

Moreover, he welcomed Ayşe Ateş and her children at the presidential palace complex. Ateş is the wife of Sinan Ateş, former head of the ultra-nationalist far-right Grey Wolves connected to the MHP.

Some MHP and Grey Wolves members were reportedly involved in the assassination whereas Bahçeli denies the allegations.

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