11.10.2026 17:30
AK Party Deputy Chairman Hüseyin Yayman reacted to the remarks of New Party Chairman Özgür Özel about President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Yayman, who called on Özel to account for the party congress and municipalities during his time as CHP Chairman, claimed that the opposition did everything to prevent Erdoğan's candidacy. Yayman also described Özel as a "political fraudster" and a "political scoundrel".
AK Party Deputy Chairman Hüseyin Yayman sharply criticized Özgür Özel, Chairman of the main opposition New Party. Yayman said that those who speak about President Erdoğan will receive a response in kind.
“IT IS OUR RED LINE”
Responding to questions on current affairs on CNN Türk, Yayman reacted to Özel’s statements about President Erdoğan. Arguing that Özel has no right to mention the President’s name, Yayman said, “Our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is our red line.” Yayman stated that anyone who speaks immoderately about Erdoğan will receive a response in kind.
Also touching on the statements of AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik, Yayman stated that he had nothing to add to Çelik’s words. Yayman described Çelik as an experienced statesman.
“POLITICAL FRAUDSTER” AND “POLITICAL CHARLATAN” DESCRIPTION
Describing Özel as a “political fraudster” and a “political charlatan,” Yayman reacted to Özel speaking about the President. In the continuation of his speech, Yayman also claimed that there was “political charlatanism.”
“GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF THE PARTY CONGRESS” CALL
Calling on Özel, who resigned from the CHP and founded the New Party, to account for the party congress held during his time as CHP Chairman, Yayman claimed that the congress was bought with “money towers.” Yayman argued that Özel should also account to his own party members for the allegations regarding municipalities.
Drawing attention to the statements of the mayors of Antalya and Uşak and Afyonkarahisar Mayor Burcu Köksal, Yayman claimed that Özel did not make any assessment regarding these statements.
“ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE” SUGGESTION FOR THE NEW PARTY
Also criticizing the New Party, Yayman claimed that if artificial intelligence managed the party instead of Özel, it would be governed more correctly. Yayman alleged that the CHP and the New Party have shown hostility toward the AK Party over the last 25 years.
“THEY ARE DOING EVERYTHING TO BLOCK HIS CANDIDACY”
Saying that presidential elections have historically led to crises in Turkey, Yayman asserted that the opposition’s main goal is to block Erdoğan’s candidacy. Yayman alleged that the opposition is engaging in political obstruction on this issue.
Expressing that they want the opposition to be strong but that he is saddened by the current picture, Yayman argued that the opposition’s situation has turned into a national security issue. Yayman claimed that the opposition opposes projects such as nuclear power plants, highways, city hospitals, and the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge.
“WE ARE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY”
Yayman argued that the AK Party stood on the “right side of history” in past crises. Listing earthquakes, the July 15 coup attempt, the pandemic, the Gezi events, the party closure case, the April 27 e-memorandum, and the 367 crisis, Yayman said that these processes formed the party’s memory. Noting that 455,000 homes were delivered in the earthquake region, Yayman recalled that the opposition had claimed this could not be accomplished.
Yayman stated that his party is also on the right side regarding the Terror-Free Turkey process, the Russia-Ukraine War, the problems of retirees and low-income people, and fundamental rights and freedoms. Also criticizing those who left the AK Party and founded parties, Yayman claimed that these parties “could not go beyond being a signboard party.”