18.12.2025 20:51
Independent Istanbul MP Dr. Selim Temurci, who was a guest on Haberler.com, stated that he had a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at his invitation after the 2024 local elections, and that he was offered a proposal to join the AK Party.
As a guest on Haberler.com, Independent Istanbul MP Dr. Selim Temurci made striking evaluations regarding the agenda.
Temurci, who decided to leave the Future Party he founded last July, stated that he had a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan upon his invitation after the 2024 local elections, and that he was offered a proposal to join the AK Party.
Temurci's statements on the subject are as follows:
"THE SIX-PARTY TABLE PERIOD HAS CAUSED IDEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES LIKE KEMAL BEY'S CANDIDACY PROCESS"
"Now, of course, the reason we continue as independent MPs is that, as you know, we were referred to disciplinary action with a request for our expulsion from the AK Party. After this process, we sought a new path in politics.
Later, together with our friends and under the leadership of Ahmet Davutoğlu, we established the Future Party with great dedication, effort, and labor. The Future Party had clear goals and a party program. It truly had a strong party program and a robust cadre that addressed all of Turkey's problems in recent times.
However, during the process, especially the Six-Party Table period, issues such as Kemal Bey's candidacy process and the acceptance of vice-presidency by the party leaders caused serious ideological differences both in our organizations and within us.
We evaluated the picture that emerged after the local elections. We argued that it was necessary to return the Future Party to its founding codes, stating, 'Yes, we can make mistakes, politicians make mistakes, parties can make wrong collaborations,' and we wanted to continue on our path with our own identity. We advocated for a new strategy to revive the party by growing our organizations.
"WE CONDUCTED VARIOUS STUDIES IN BOTH THE DEVA PARTY AND THE FELICITY PARTY FOR THE EXPECTATION OF UNIFICATION TO MATERIALIZE"
If you remember, after the local elections, there was an expectation for the unification and integration of parties close to each other, particularly in the conservative, democratic, and right-wing segments, to present a strong alternative to society. We conducted various studies in the Future Party, the DEVA Party, and the Felicity Party to realize this expectation. However, as a result of the discussions and studies, we saw that the likelihood of this happening was not feasible.
Ultimately, I do not want to go into too much detail. The most fundamental element in politics is the trust between people. When there is an erosion of this trust, being there would be unfair both to the people you are doing politics with and to yourself. When such a problem arises, human relationships inevitably suffer. Politics can sometimes bring unforeseen difficulties and complex relationships.
For this reason, we decided to continue on our path as independent MPs by asking for permission. Of course, I wish our friends in the Future Party to be successful. However, I believe that politics in Turkey needs to progress not by fragmentation but by unification. Especially within the 50 plus 1 system and the Presidential Government System, we must present a new and strong alternative to society.
In an environment where everyone says 'I', it is impossible to create a sense of 'We' in society. Therefore, I reiterate that the strategy should be based on unification rather than fragmentation.
"AFTER THE 2024 LOCAL ELECTIONS, I HAD A MEETING WITH OUR PRESIDENT UPON HIS INVITATION"
After the 2024 local elections, I had a meeting with our President upon his invitation. This meeting was also reflected in the media and resonated widely in the public. After the meeting, we were subjected to severe criticism from some media organizations and members.
I have been involved in politics since a very young age, having served as a provincial chairman. I left this position by seeking permission from him. We left by criticizing the AK Party's path and political style at that time. Otherwise, our identity, our perspective on politics, and our love for our country and nation are not things to be questioned.
When badges change, people do not change. Sometimes it is necessary to take a principled stance, and we did that. Therefore, we responded to the invitation of our President, who is also our fellow citizen, and went to the meeting.
This meeting was criticized, but later we saw that political leaders came together within the framework of 'Normalization' and 'Softening' discourses in Turkey. In my opinion, this is how it should be. As polarization and conflict in politics increase, society becomes more divided. It is extremely important for political actors who claim to govern Turkey to come together, meet, and compete with their ideas for our democracy.
"IF THERE IS TO BE A 'RETURN TO ESSENCE' PROCESS AS MENTIONED BY THE PRESIDENT, WE SAID WE WOULD PUT NOT JUST OUR HANDS BUT OUR BODIES UNDER THE STONE"
For this reason, I particularly emphasize that the meeting we had with our President should not be a subject of speculation anymore. It was an invitation to us and our friends. In reference to the 'Return to Essence' expression mentioned by our President after the local elections, we said that if such a process is to take place, we would put not just our hands but our bodies under the stone. The meeting took place and it ended there. We explained our issue, there was an invitation, we said 'It could be,' and the matter was closed. This meeting does not have a binding result for us today.
We fought for a while to see if we could 'revive the party' within the Future Party. However, at the point we have reached, we saw that we would become a burden to each other. Because our understanding of politics is based on strong organizations, contact with the streets, and addressing the real problems of the people. It is not possible to realize these without a strong organization.
"WE ARE ENTERING A PERIOD WHERE MANY OF THE CURRENT POLITICAL FIGURES IN TURKEY WILL NOT BE IN POWER IN A FEW YEARS"
We believe that Turkey is currently experiencing a transition period. We are moving towards a new period in which a significant portion of the current political figures will withdraw from the stage in the next few years. A period is beginning where sensible people, regardless of their political views, will discuss Turkey's real problems in the center.
After becoming independent, we are holding discussions with many political parties and very valuable individuals without making a distinction between the government and the opposition. We are discussing how we can bring the concerns of the streets and the troubles of the people to the center of politics. I believe that this is the most fundamental issue in Turkey today.
People are concerned about jobs, livelihoods, and the future of their children. However, the political agenda is often disconnected from these realities. There are times when I think that dealing with such artificial agendas is done to distract from the real problems of society.
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"WE HAVE MEETINGS WITH NAMES FROM THE GOOD PARTY, THE NEW WELFARE PARTY, AND THE REPUBLICAN PEOPLE'S PARTY"
We are evaluating these issues with rational people from many political structures, including the ruling party. We have meetings with names from the Good Party, the New Welfare Party, and the Republican People's Party. There are contacts at the level of party leaders, but there is currently no clear decision made.
We argue that Turkey needs to get out of poor management, polarization, and arrogant politics. We believe that a political style that walks with the streets and centers the people's problems is essential. We see that there is a broad common ground on issues related to Turkey's future.
Our nation should not be hopeless. Today, Turkey may face many problems, but the most fundamental issue is that we have become a country where unhappy people live. We will achieve the way out of this together as a nation, hand in hand. I still see this hope in politics.
"AN INVITATION TO JOIN THE AK PARTY HAS BEEN RECEIVED"
We are currently continuing our duties as an independent member of parliament. If we make a different decision, we will openly share it with the public. Regarding the issue of joining the AK Party; we said we are open to everything if there will be a return to essence. The ball is not in our court right now. Such an offer was made, this sentence was constructed, but there was no follow-up. Therefore, we do not find it appropriate to speculate on this matter.
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