27.11.2025 15:52
Mahmut Arıkan, the General President of the Saadet Party, met with journalists at the "Anatolian Conversations" program. Arıkan responded to claims about the merger of the Future Party, the New Welfare Party, and the Saadet Party, stating, "There is definitely no merger on our agenda." Additionally, Arıkan emphasized that we cannot reach a healthy conclusion without addressing Turkey's fundamental issues together and commented on the visit of the Terror-Free Turkey Commission to Imralı.
'Anatolian Conversations' Program, Saadet Party Chairman Mahmut Arıkan met with journalists, responding clearly to claims that the Future Party, the New Welfare Party, and the Saadet Party would unite. Regarding Fatih Erbakan's presidential candidacy and the recent public discussions about the "unification of parties within the National View base," Arıkan stated, "There is absolutely no unification on our agenda."
(MHA) Saadet Party Chairman Mahmut Arıkan met with journalists as part of the "Anatolian Conversations" Program organized by the Turkish Press Federation (TÜBAF). Arıkan provided comprehensive evaluations on the ongoing works of the Terror-Free Turkey Commission, discussions about İmralı, the constitutional process, foreign policy, the economy, and coalition possibilities, delivering striking messages.
"SAADET PARTY IS READY TO PAY THE PRICE IN THE PROCESS OF A TERROR-FREE TURKEY"
Arıkan emphasized that the process is not solely a security issue centered around the PKK and İmralı, stating, "This issue is part of a much larger framework. We cannot reach a healthy conclusion without seeing Turkey's fundamental issues together."
Commenting on the İmralı visit of the Terror-Free Turkey Commission, Mahmut Arıkan said, "Next Thursday, on December 4th, the commission will convene. We will do our utmost regarding İmralı and a terror-free Turkey. We will continue to express our concerns not to undermine the process but to contribute to it."
Arıkan mentioned that there are some concerns but thankfully nothing negative has occurred so far, stating, "We will provide the necessary support and be a supporter of the process." He added that the Saadet Party is not approaching this matter with a heroic attitude or with the concern of increasing votes with phrases that please the public, but is ready to make sacrifices for Turkey, which has lost tens of thousands of its children to these troubles. "In our 56-year history, whenever we looked at state interests versus party interests, we have always prioritized state interests. Different political parties use different opinions. The Saadet Party is not there. If this problem is to be solved, the Saadet Party is ready to pay its share," he said.
One of the main topics of the meeting was the government's recent intensification of the "Terror-Free Turkey" process. Arıkan stated that the goal of ending terrorism should be supported by everyone.
If you confine the issue solely to İmralı and the PKK context, you narrow the matter. A lasting security environment cannot be established without addressing Turkey's economic, legal, social, and political problems as a whole, he said.
Arıkan stated that their party is not trying to undermine the process but is working to "contribute on a ground that is compatible with law and social legitimacy."
CLEAR RESPONSE TO PARTY UNIFICATION CLAIMS: NOT ON OUR AGENDA
Addressing the recent public discussions about the claims that "parties within the National View base will unite," Arıkan closed the door to the debate, stating, "There is absolutely no party unification on our agenda. Those who talk about this are commenting without knowing the structure of our political tradition."
Pointing out that the possibility of cooperation is a different topic, Arıkan said, "The coalition ground is different. Every party can sit down and discuss on a principled basis. Our desire is for all parties within the National View line to meet on a common principled ground."
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDACY DISCUSSIONS: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SYSTEM FIRST
Arıkan also clarified the claims regarding a possible presidential candidacy. He emphasized that he is not making a personal candidacy assessment, calling it "an early and unnecessary discussion." Arıkan stated, "It is not right to talk about candidates without having discussed the future of the management system. The candidate discussion should be held much later, after the system discussion."
Responding to questions about the presidential candidacy, Arıkan said, "This issue has never come up in our agenda with Mr. Erbakan." He highlighted the importance of correcting the existing deficiencies in the functioning of the system and how to turn the disputed points into positive ones.
NEW CONSTITUTION MESSAGE: FIRST, LET'S ADHERE TO THE CURRENT CONSTITUTION
Evaluating the government's proposed new constitution, Arıkan stated that they "have not closed the door on a principled basis," but emphasized the sincerity test, saying, "We are not against the idea of a new constitution. We must question how a new text will convince society."
In the foreign policy section, particularly addressing the Gaza issue, Arıkan stated that Turkey has taken a correct position at the level of discourse, but concrete steps have been insufficient. Noting that Islamic countries are currently positioned within the axis of the USA, Arıkan said, "Unless a real political unity is established, a fundamental solution to the Palestinian issue cannot be expected."
ECONOMY AND MINIMUM WAGE: DISCUSSING FIGURES BELOW THE POVERTY LINE IS OPPRESSION
Arıkan described the economic situation as "a social fatigue." Regarding minimum wage discussions, Arıkan stated, "The minimum wage should provide a life worthy of human dignity."
"A NEW WORLD CAN ONLY BE ESTABLISHED WITH THE COMMON ALLIANCE OF THE OPPRESSED"
At the end of his speech, Arıkan stated that Turkey has significant respect in the international arena, but emphasized that this must be supported by correct policies.
Arıkan said, "Only the discourse of Islamic Unity is lacking. All oppressed countries in the world need to establish a common alliance. The current order does not produce justice. The establishment of a new order is inevitable."