12.02.2025 15:30
Recently, Fatih Erbakan, the leader of the New Welfare Party, announced his candidacy for the presidency and this time called for early elections. Stating that 80% of the people live below the poverty line, Erbakan said, "Early elections need to be held this fall."
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Fatih Erbakan, the Chairman of the New Welfare Party, made statements regarding the agenda during a television program he attended. Speaking about the recent detention processes, Erbakan said, "We see the recent developments as an attempt to design politics through the judiciary and the police, and we evaluate these investigations as extremely harsh practices. Because the fact that it is happening one after another and continuing directly through İmamoğlu, who is likely to be a presidential candidate, and continuing with his colleagues, we evaluate it politically. Again, the sudden detention of a General Chairman appears to be the design of politics through the judiciary. This is perceived this way both domestically and internationally."
"THOSE WHO HAVE BROUGHT OUR CITIZENS TO THIS STATE SHOULD BE ASHAMED"
Speaking about the economic crisis in Turkey, Erbakan stated, "Those who have brought our citizens to this state should be ashamed. They tell us: 'Never again ally with the People's Alliance. You did it on May 14 and May 28, but we do not want it anymore.' So far, 598 billion dollars have been paid in interest by the AK Party governments. In the medium-term program, they say we will pay another 151 billion dollars in the next 3 years. By the time we reach 2028, that is, in the 25th year of the AK Party's rule, they will go down in history as the champions of interest, having paid 750 billion dollars in interest. It almost amounts to a trillion dollars, which is terrifying. This year, they are allocating 1.95 trillion lira from the budget for interest, which amounts to 60 billion dollars. With this money, you could give an extra 16 thousand lira to 10 million minimum wage earners for 12 months," he said.
"THE REPUBLIC GOLD HAS RISEN ABOVE THE MINIMUM WAGE"
Erbakan stated, "The inflation in January has caused a decrease to 21 thousand 45 lira for the minimum wage with a decline of 5.03%. The hunger threshold in Turkey has risen to 22 thousand 130 lira. There is a difference of 1 thousand 86 lira in between. The situation of retirees is already clear with 14 thousand 400 lira. For the first time in the history of the Republic, a Republic gold has risen above the minimum wage. In other words, it has become impossible to buy even a Republic gold with a minimum wage. Moreover, the number of people who cannot pay their credit card debts and personal loans has reached 2 million 558 thousand. 6.5 million people have become unable to pay their credit card or personal loan debts. The calculation is very clear: 80% of the people live below the poverty line," he expressed.
"EARLY ELECTIONS NEED TO BE HELD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE"
Evaluating the discussions about early elections, Erbakan stated that the election should be held in the fall, saying, "If they change the constitution to their liking, they will not want to hold early elections. In other words, if there is a regulation that opens the way for the President to run again in the normal election scheduled for 2028, they will want to use their time until the end. However, if there is no constitutional change, they will have the parliament make a decision for an election so that the President can run again, and I think they will hold this election in 2027. They will not want to bring it forward any further. We believe that the President is really worn out, both in terms of age and health, and that it would be beneficial for him and for Turkey to rest, as he has remained in office for a period that no one in the history of the Republic has experienced. If it were up to us, the early election should be in the fall. However, considering the situation of the people, the conditions in Turkey, and the polls regarding early elections, I see that it would be beneficial to hold early elections as soon as possible," he said.
"CAN YOU SAY WE ARE CLOSING INCIRLIK AIR BASE?"
Criticizing the government's reactions to Israel and the US's 'Gaza' plans, Erbakan said, "Instead of speaking against Trump, if you want to do these things, say, 'If you do this, we will close the radar base in Kürecik.' It is a radar base established to protect Israel. It was established to support Israel's air defense system against Iranian missiles, and we are closing it. Can you say we are closing Incirlik Air Base? If you cannot say these things, then there is not much benefit in talking. The complete severance of all diplomatic relations with Israel... Is oil going to Israel through Turkey? Yes, it is. Azerbaijani oil continues through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline with the SOCAR oil company," he expressed.
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