09.02.2026 17:21
After the MYK meeting, AK Party spokesperson Ömer Çelik responded to claims that Keçiören Mayor Mesut Özarslan, who resigned from the CHP, would join the AK Party. Çelik stated, "There has been no evaluation regarding Mesut Özarslan in our party. Many mayors want to join the AK Party."
AK Party spokesperson Ömer Çelik, who spoke about the claims that Keçiören Mayor Mesut Özarslan, who resigned from the CHP, would switch to the AK Party, stated, "There has been no evaluation regarding Mesut Özarslan in our party. Many mayors want to switch to the AK Party."
STATEMENT FROM AK PARTY'S ÇELİK ON MESUT ÖZARSLAN
AK Party spokesperson Ömer Çelik made statements after the party's Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting. Çelik addressed the claims regarding Keçiören Mayor Mesut Özarslan, who resigned from the CHP, switching to the AK Party.
"THE EXPRESSIONS USED BY ÖZGÜR ÖZEL ARE A SCANDAL UNLIKE ANY OTHER"
Çelik said: "The expressions used by the CHP Chairman are a scandal that has no equal in Turkish political life. It is sad and shameful for a party leader to speak so profanely, using such expressions towards a mayor in their own party or anyone else. How does the CHP come to this point? How do they fall into such a level of poverty in discourse?"
"HE SHOULD COME OUT AND APOLOGIZE"
This will be evaluated by our citizens who are devoted to the CHP and our nation. When they come to the podium, they talk about democracy, law, political dialogue, and level. There is no level in these messages. Even speaking is shameful. Defenses made within such an agenda are worse than those messages. This is a matter that needs to be apologized for.
"THE ISSUE OF MESUT ÖZARSLAN SWITCHING TO THE AK PARTY HAS NOT BEEN EVALUATED"
Our chairman and our authorized boards have not evaluated such a matter regarding the mayor of Keçiören switching to our party. Many mayors have such a request. It is being evaluated in the authorized boards. As of today, there is no decision made regarding the Keçiören Mayor. "
Highlights from Ömer Çelik's statements are as follows:
"Since the earthquakes on February 6, this difficult struggle has been fought in the strongest way. The greatest joy for us is our citizens returning to their homes. Our President has kept this issue on our agenda in every meeting since that day. Our Minister of Environment and Urbanization, Mr. Murat, has worked hard. We will also reach advanced stages. While dealing with the disaster, we were also dealing with lies. Unfortunately, looting incidents occurred. All of these were fought against. This struggle was successfully carried out in front of the world.
"WE WERE VERY SURPRISED BY ÖZEL'S STYLE"
CHP Chairman Mr. Özgür Özel was in a style that tried to overshadow and tarnish everything done. While trying to explain their own municipalities, he revealed words that admitted that many of them did not contribute. Whatever civil society organization or municipality it may be, genuine appreciation, respect, and thanks are always deserved. We were all very surprised by Mr. Özgür Özel's effort to ignore the truths. In the face of great disasters, the nation and the state do not remain under the rubble, but the discourses and mentality of some parties were under the rubble, and this was sad.
The month of Ramadan is coming. We congratulate all our citizens on the month of Ramadan in advance. We will meet with our citizens as an organization, with our members of parliament, and with our MKYK members. We will carry out an intense Ramadan activity. These activities will be carried out strongly. We will not leave any of our brothers in Syria alone during the month of Ramadan. We are in a period where the world is fragmented, institutions are worn out, and fundamental principles are eroded. One of the biggest examples of this was the criticism directed at Davos, which is one of the grounds used to reinforce the basic ideology of the world order, neo-liberal dominance.
DAVOS SUMMIT
For the first time this year, the elites of the global order at Davos admitted that this order is going wrong. It has caused some hidden or open conflicts and some diplomatic crises. The age of uncertainty has been certified by everyone. It has been seen that the order has become intolerable. The biggest clarifier of this lack of principles has been the double standards exhibited in Gaza.
"THE AID TO GAZA IS NOT AT THE DESIRED LEVEL"
The West's failure to remind the principles it recalled during the Ukraine war in Gaza has become the biggest turning point of the age of uncertainty. The desired aid to Gaza has still not reached the desired level. The ceasefire is still fragile. There is a significant obstacle from the genocide gang in the functioning of a two-state Palestinian state. The double standards regarding Gaza have revealed the complete clarity of the age we call the age of uncertainty. We will continue our struggle regarding Gaza without interruption.
Currently, the only approach that is strongly active and making an impact in terms of international dialogue and integration is the approach of our President. It has been seen that our President has shown a strong will. There will be a visit from Saudi Arabia, a visit from Egypt, a visit from the King of Jordan, and this week there will be a visit from the Prime Minister of Greece. Israel's destabilizing policies aimed at creating more chaos continue unabated. We are continuing our struggle against this.
PROCESS OF A TERROR-FREE TURKEY
Our efforts regarding a terror-free Turkey and a terror-free region will continue without interruption. It is necessary to proceed around the principles we have established. Disinformation, maximalist approaches, extreme discourses are aimed at distracting us, diluting the dissolution of the terrorist organization and disarmament, and involve wrong approaches and racist discourses. We will not allow manipulations and provocations to divert us from our path. Our President stated that with the elimination of the activities of the terrorist organization located in northeastern Syria, the process of a terror-free region and a terror-free Turkey has been freed from an obstacle.
"WE ARE WORKING ON SOCIAL MEDIA"
We are working on social media. Our President emphasizes this issue in many of his speeches to protect generations, resist disinformation, and safeguard our cyber sovereignty. Right now, striking statements are coming from the West loudly. The Prime Minister of Spain, Sanchez, said that just as we stood on the right side of history regarding Palestine, we will stand on the right side of history to pull the hands of technology oligarchs off our children's phones.
There are many activities being carried out by technology oligarchs. It is seen that they are starting to use many details and information to manipulate the national sovereignty of countries. On one hand, they are preying on children, and on the other hand, they are invading the sovereignty areas of that country. We must all resist against this together.
From France to other countries, strong legal measures regarding the protection of children under the age of 16 are being expressed. It is clear that we are more sensitive about this issue to protect freedom and our children. Turkey is waging an uncompromising struggle in the cyber field. We will address social media regulation within the framework of creating a barrier against technology oligarchs.
"IRAN MUST SOLVE ITS OWN PROBLEM"
We consider it extremely important to select issues through negotiations in Iran. There are certainly problems in Iran. The Iranian society must solve this with its own dynamics. We do not predict, we know, that external intervention will lead to great instability and create significant troubles. The option of external military intervention should not be on the agenda in any way. The nuclear file and the ballistic missile issue are on the agenda. Addressing these as a package will not lead to a solution. These should be addressed with the possibilities and capabilities of negotiation.
Since the first day we came to power, we have fought against many areas of tutelage. The biggest area was the fight against tutelage to open the way for Turkey and democracy, and to ensure economic growth. In an environment where the world represented by technology oligarchs is dissolving, it is also necessary to fight against global tutelage. It is impossible to remember those dark days without experiencing them. It cannot be done by being narrated from the outside or by writing books. It is difficult to define darkness.
It is very difficult to explain what kind of feeling darkness is and how it creates gloom. Turkey was living in such darkness. One of these is the internal interventions that are as damaging to Turkey's national security in the defense industry as the external interventions.
ÖZDEMİR BAYRAKTAR DOCUMENTARY
We sincerely wish that everyone watches the documentary of the late Özdemir Bayraktar, one of the pioneers of the national technology move. You can clearly see that some examples given by our friends there are the political honor of Turkey in the fight against tutelage, especially in the defense industry. The documentary of Bayraktar, who is a pioneer for the TEKNOFEST generation, is the narration of their own stories. I would like to emphasize that this documentary, as a pioneer, is very important for those interested in politics and national history, and for those who want to gain a different perspective on what is happening in this country.
"HATE POLITICS IS SHOWING ITSELF"
Hate politics occasionally shows itself as a disease. Our Mihalgazi Mayor, Zeynep Hanım, was elected by the votes of our citizens, and she faced hate speech. It was truly a despicable statement. I would like to express that the reaction shown is very meaningful. The opposition of our female citizens to hate speech was extremely valuable. A joint statement was made with a common sensitivity from different political parties. This also means that a national consensus has been achieved in this area. It was said that this person was a member of the GOOD Party. The GOOD Party's disciplinary mechanisms made very quick decisions. The statements of the esteemed chairman Musavvat Dervişoğlu are extremely valuable. We extend our thanks to everyone from here.
For young people who want to adapt to working life before graduating while continuing their education, practical training has been implemented by YÖK. This will enable these brothers and sisters to quickly transition into the employment sector while they are students. It has become extremely important for them to be part of employment while receiving education. We believe that we will see the positive results of this.
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF MHP
Today is also the 57th anniversary of the MHP, our partner in the People's Alliance, which is the rooted tree of Turkish politics. It was established in Adana 57 years ago. We once again wish mercy upon the late Türkeş. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Bahçeli and the members of the MHP. As the People's Alliance, we have overcome very challenging paths. We will continue to overcome even longer paths from now on. Today is a day when we sincerely congratulate the 57th anniversary of the MHP. We remember with gratitude everyone who contributed.
The 'Terror-free Turkey' and 'terror-free region' process expressed by Mr. Bahçeli in his speech must be brought to fruition. In today's speech, Mr. Bahçeli issued serious warnings to those who want to divert the focus. He included significant warnings to those trying to make it a part of ethnic-based division.
"THERE IS NO ROOM FOR ANY BARGAINING"
The People's Alliance has certain special principles and rules regarding the unity and integrity of Turkey. One of them is that there can be no compromise or bargaining regarding the qualities of the state and the values of the nation. Turkey is not a coalition of ethnic groups or sectarian groups. It opposes the logic of coalition based on identity in defining the nation. Of course, we respect sects. There are no second-class citizens in Turkey. I would like to express that provocative statements based on ethnicity or sect will have harmful consequences.