31.03.2025 00:40
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated at the holiday greeting program that Turkey has faced significant challenges in the last 10 days. Referring to the CHP rally in Maltepe, Yerlikaya expressed that they granted permission for 96% of the rally applications.
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Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, speaking about the protests that began after operations against the İBB, stated, "They have gone through very important tests in the last 10 days."
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya met with the Konya Governor İbrahim Akın and the provincial protocol after celebrating the holiday at the Taş Bina Cultural Arts Center, and then came together with members of the AK Party Konya organization. Yerlikaya also made a speech here.
"WE HAVE GONE THROUGH VERY IMPORTANT TESTS IN 10 DAYS"
Wishing that the holiday brings peace and well-being, Yerlikaya noted that Turkey has gone through very important tests in the last 10 days before the holiday, stating, "As you know, following an investigation conducted by the public prosecutor's office in Istanbul, there were detentions and ultimately arrests in the initial trial, and the main opposition made a call, urging people to take to the streets."
Stating, "As the Interior Minister, I always say this, and I will continue to say it; it is a democratic right," Yerlikaya emphasized, "The right to assemble, to hold demonstrations, to protest. Can everyone think the same thing on the same issue in this political climate, in this environment of freedom? They cannot. There are about 170 political parties. Each has a general duty, as stated in their founding laws; to serve this country. To walk together with friends and brothers who think like themselves and to ensure the welfare of the nation, the peace of the nation, and the ideal of being a great and powerful Turkey in the family of world states. But while doing this, our language, our behavior, and our interpretations must be in accordance with both the laws and our ethical values," he expressed.
"WE GRANTED PERMISSION FOR 96% OF MEETING APPLICATIONS"
Minister Yerlikaya stated that there was an application to the Governorship for the Maltepe meeting held yesterday and that the Governorship granted permission for this meeting, emphasizing that the meeting was held in accordance with the laws, saying, "In 2024, we granted permission for 96% of the applications made to us, the Ministry of Interior and our provincial organizations, that is, to our Governorships and administrative authorities, saying 'We want to hold a meeting. We want to hold a gathering.' Just like yesterday in Maltepe."
RESPONSE TO BOYCOTT CALLS
Emphasizing that all political parties should work for the survival of Turkey and that "social divisiveness" should not be allowed, Yerlikaya criticized the boycott calls made by the CHP in recent days.
Recalling that boycott calls were made against some companies that benefit countries economically, Yerlikaya stated, "I have difficulty understanding. Don't the revenues of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality come from the taxes paid by the companies in that city? Just like in Konya. The more robust and strong the companies in Konya are, the more turnover, more accrual, and more taxes they pay, does the right, the share of the Metropolitan Municipality, which is the place where the citizens benefit the most, come? Does it come in all metropolitan areas? What is your problem then? 'If you don't love me, if you don't think like me, if you don't walk with me, then I will boycott you.'
This means; when they fail in political competition, they say, 'If we collapse Turkey, we will collapse the AK Party.' We cannot allow this. We will not allow this, but not in a rude manner like they do. We will do this with the dignity of our 23-year stance. With good morals, sweet words, determination, and decisiveness. We will continue to teach them how politics should be, as it has been for 23 years, which befits this country and this nation."
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