08.05.2026 17:16
HÜDA-PAR Chairman Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu said, "Given the current economic situation, I do not expect an early election in 2026. However, we may face the ballot box in the fall of 2027."
Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu, Chairman of HÜDA-PAR, met with journalists at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM).
Evaluating the developments in the 'Terror-Free Turkey' process, Yapıcıoğlu said, 'In our view, there is a slowdown in the process. I don't want to go into too much detail, but the positions of the parties differ in terms of the meaning attributed to the process. If the reports submitted to the Speaker of Parliament are examined, the differences will be seen very clearly. For some, there is no Kurdish issue in Turkey, only a terrorism problem, and if weapons are laid down, the problem will end completely. For others, the real issue is the Kurdish issue, or more accurately, the democratization issue, and if certain steps are taken, other problems will resolve themselves. Therefore, since there are different definitions, the proposed solutions also differ, and because everyone expects a different solution, interpretations of whether the process is progressing can vary. In our view, if the process drags on, a risk of stalling emerges. We need to solve these problems in the shortest possible time. In our bill submitted as an appendix to the National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission report, we have a proposal to establish a 'Determination and Observation Board'.'
'WE NEED A NEW CONSTITUTION'
Yapıcıoğlu stated that Turkey has been discussing a new constitution for a long time, saying, 'We are entering a new century, and we must enter this century free from all burdens, having solved our problems, ensured our internal peace, and strengthened our brotherhood. This is not a choice but a necessity; because we will either unite and solve our problems with justice and togetherness, or we clearly see that those who ignite the fire of war around us try to internally destabilize the countries they attack beforehand. Therefore, Turkey needs a new constitution that can address all our issues and all legitimate demands of the people, and that will be achieved with full societal consensus and participation.'
'ANIMALS THAT CANNOT BE REHABILITATED SHOULD BE CULLED'
Addressing the stray dog issue, Yapıcıoğlu argued that measures should be taken to prevent harm to citizens, stating, 'If we need to remove them from people and confine them somewhere, that should certainly be done; but if that animal is aggressive and cannot be rehabilitated, it should be culled if necessary. That is, let 100 dogs die rather than one child. Have we forgotten that when a disease transmitted by birds or poultry arrives, all poultry, sick or not, are culled? Aren't chickens animals? So, when foot-and-mouth disease comes or there is a disease transmitted from animal to animal or animal to human, protecting public health is a priority. Measures must be taken without exceeding the bounds of compassion, but by also prioritizing people's health and safety as a necessity.'
'PENSION SALES NEED IMPROVEMENT'
Yapıcıoğlu said Turkey's economy is not improving and, referring to the Central Bank's fight against inflation, stated, 'Due to the energy crisis triggered by the war, it has become clear once again that the cause of inflation is not just demand but mostly rising costs. Therefore, we must find a new way and method to combat inflation. There is no reasonable or explainable justification for making low-income people unable to make ends meet in the name of fighting inflation. For this reason, we insist that both the minimum wage and pension salaries should be improved as soon as possible.'
Then, responding to a question about early elections, Yapıcıoğlu said, 'Given the current economic outlook, I do not expect early elections in 2026. However, we might face the ballot box in the autumn of 2027. As for debates about the President, they are more about whether he should be a candidate again, or can he be or not? Under the current situation, if elections are held on time, he cannot be a candidate according to the constitution. Therefore, for him to be a candidate, either the constitution must be changed or elections must be brought forward by a parliamentary decision. If brought forward by parliament, since he would not have completed his second term, a constitutional right to be a candidate for a third time emerges.'