13.05.2026 13:10
İYİ Party Chairman Müsavat Dervişoğlu responded to claims of a phone conversation with President Erdoğan by saying, "If I spoke, I say I spoke; if I didn't, I say I didn't. I am not someone who leaves the truth open to debate. I know who is behind this. I also know who, with a scriptwriter's mind, has brought this to life as if it were a big deal."
İYİ Party Chairman Müsavat Dervişoğlu made striking statements regarding the agenda during his party's group meeting held at the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Reacting strongly to allegations that he had a half-hour phone conversation with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Dervişoğlu said, “If I talk, I will say I talked; if I didn't talk, I will say I didn't talk.”
“I NEVER HID ANYTHING FROM THE NATION”
Speaking at the meeting, which also included the party's youth branches, Dervişoğlu argued that the phone call allegations against him were intentionally circulated. “I am not a person whose truths are open to debate. From the moment I entered the political stage, I never hid anything from the nation,” said Dervişoğlu, stating that he could talk to anyone but would not conceal it from the public. He added, “I believe that steps aimed at creating such a ground of secrecy both increase the shadow over Turkish politics and harm democracy. Therefore, let those who mention my name here and there and try to use me for their petty scenarios and strategies know that they will face disappointment.”
BURCU KÖKSAL'S JOINING THE AK PARTY
Also commenting on Afyonkarahisar Mayor Burcu Köksal's resignation from the CHP and joining the AK Party, Dervişoğlu emphasized that Turkey needs a political ethics law. Arguing that elected individuals changing parties harms democracy, Dervişoğlu noted that he had made similar warnings about past transfers from the İYİ Party. “This happened to us first. When it was done to the İYİ Party, I had actually pointed out today's danger. No one took my warnings seriously back then,” said Dervişoğlu, stating that other parties are now experiencing the same problems.
“WE HAVE YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING IN LIMBO IN THE 21ST CENTURY”
Devoting a significant part of his speech to the economic and social problems faced by young people, Dervişoğlu stated that millions of young people in Turkey are outside the education and workforce systems. Noting that the working-age youth population is 24.1 million, Dervişoğlu said that 6.5 million of them are neither in education nor employment. “In the 21st century, we have young people living in limbo,” said Dervişoğlu, arguing that young people want to go abroad due to concerns about their future.
“ERDOĞAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DESPAIR”
The İYİ Party leader claimed that President Erdoğan is the political party responsible for the problems young people face. “The political party responsible for both the good and the bad, both the hope and the despair these young people experience, is Recep Tayyip Erdoğan,” said Dervişoğlu, arguing that the AK Party government has weakened young people's hopes for the future.
“YOU ARE EACH A TURKISH FLAG”
Also addressing May 19th, the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, Dervişoğlu spoke to the youth, saying, “You are each a Turkish flag. Do not stain the flag, do not dirty it, do not let it fall to the ground.”