17.10.2026 16:54
New Party leader Özgür Özel gave a sharp response to claims voiced by journalists close to the government that 8 mayors would switch to the AK Party. In his speech in Kırıkkale, Özel said, 'We may have to pay new costs; we may face new betrayals.'
New Party General Chairman Özgür Özel, in his speech at the New Party Kırıkkale Provincial Presidency pre-election, made extremely harsh and remarkable statements regarding the transfer allegations that dropped like a bombshell on the agenda.
"WE MAY FACE NEW BETRAYALS"
According to the claims put forward by journalists close to the government, while 8 district mayors in Ankara were expected to collectively join the AK Party, it was also alleged that Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Aras would transfer to the AK Party. Responding from Kırıkkale to these claims, which stirred up the corridors of the capital and Muğla, Özel signaled possible breakaways and used the expressions, "We may have to pay new costs, we may face new betrayals."
"TOMORROW MAY BE EVEN HARDER THAN TODAY"
Following the transfer allegations, the highlights from the speech of New Party leader Özgür Özel, who gave a message of determination, were as follows: "Today we may not have unlimited means. State power may not be with us. We may not have big capital behind us. Every door may be trying to close in our faces. Tomorrow may be even harder than today. We may have to pay new costs, we may face new betrayals. But never forget that our power, our capital, is not surrendering. It is not fearing evil. It is not being afraid of the one opposite and stepping back, not leaving anyone behind. That is why we are responsible to one another. If one of us gets tired, the other will lend him a shoulder.
"I PROMISE A DIGNIFIED MARCH"
When one of us falls, the other will extend a hand. If one of us stays somewhere, the other will take the flag from his hand and march toward the destination. I promise you not that we will never fall, but that even if we do, we will stand shoulder to shoulder and rise together stronger. I promise you not to march to power through rose gardens without thorns, but to march to power by stepping on those thorns and breaking them. I promise you struggle, perseverance, and a dignified march together. I promise you, at the end of this road, not my own, my party's, or my circle's power, but the nation's power.