04.11.2026 13:21
AK Party Deputy Chairman Hüseyin Yayman, in a live broadcast he attended, called on New Party Chairman Özgür Özel to run for president. Repeating his claims regarding CHP's convention process, Yayman said, "If he trusts himself so much, let him come before me, let him be a presidential candidate and we'll see." Yayman also made statements regarding the Terror-Free Türkiye process, fund investigations, and freedom of the press.
AK Party Deputy Chairman Hüseyin Yayman made assessments on current issues in the joint live broadcast "Anadolu Soruyor" organized by the Turkish Press Federation. Answering questions from Millet News Agency Editor-in-Chief Sinan Burhan, Çay TV Editor-in-Chief Hasan Yavuz Bakır, and Kon TV Ankara News Director Çetin Altan, Yayman delivered messages on the fight against terrorism, corruption allegations, and press freedom, as well as his criticism of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel.
CALL ON ÖZGÜR ÖZEL FOR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDACY
When reminded of Özgür Özel's words, "Ask any AK Party member, they will say Özgür Özel has no business with money," Yayman made accusations regarding the CHP's congress and candidate selection processes. Raising the allegations that money was distributed at the congress, Yayman addressed Özel directly.
"Mr. Özgür Özel has created a disappointment. By distributing money at the doors of nightclubs at the CHP congress, they bought the CHP congress with towers of money. These financial dealings continued later in the candidacy processes as well."
Yayman continued his remarks as follows:
"If Mr. Özgür Özel is so confident, I say from the Anadolu Soruyor program: bring it on! Let him come out against me, let him become a presidential candidate and we will see."
Yayman's statements regarding the congress and candidacy processes are in the nature of allegations he himself raised.
"ANATOLIA ELECTS OUR PRESIDENT"
Evaluating comments on the impact of the US election results on Turkish politics, Yayman reacted to linking President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's political future to the American elections.
"Unfortunately, there is a mass in Turkey that has opinions without having knowledge. Our President is not elected by Americans, French, or British; Kayseri elects him, Rize elects him, Trabzon, Hatay elect him. In other words, Anatolia elects him."
Yayman emphasized that political balances in Turkey are determined by the will of the country's voters.
"WEAPONS MUST BE LAID DOWN NOT ONLY FROM THE HAND, BUT ALSO FROM THE HEART"
Touching on the "Terror-Free Turkey" process, Yayman stated that the process should not be reduced to individuals and drew attention to the roles assumed by President Erdoğan and MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli.
Emphasizing the importance of the assessments regarding the laying down of arms and the evacuation of areas used by the organization, Yayman said, "Thankfully, no martyr's funeral has come for two and a half years. However, for us, the fundamental issue is that weapons are laid down not only from the hand but also from the heart and are completely removed from the mind."
Yayman argued that it is not correct to evaluate the process through tabloid discussions and individuals.
"A THIEF HAS NO PARTY"
Also speaking about fund investigations and irregularity allegations concerning municipalities, Yayman argued that corruption allegations should be investigated without discriminating between political parties.
Yayman, saying "We will never walk together with those who confuse the forbidden with the permissible and those who touch property," used the following statements:
"Let everyone know this: a thief has no party; one who reaches for the people's money has no party. It does not matter whether the person who commits this irregularity is from the CHP, another party, or the AK Party."
Yayman called on those who have information and documents regarding corruption to apply to the prosecutor's office, saying that he himself is ready to accompany such an application.
PRESS FREEDOM AND SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGE
Also responding to criticism of the detention of journalists, Yayman argued that press freedom is essential. Stating that a distinction must be made between journalistic activities and acting on behalf of criminal organizations, Yayman said, "Turkey is a state of law and constitution; no one is above the law."
Arguing that social media poses a risk to national security due to problems such as child abuse, drugs, and disinformation, Yayman defended regulations made to protect society and the family.