14.02.2026 20:21
Mahmut Arıkan, the Chairman of the Saadet Party, made statements during a live broadcast on Haberler.com. Speaking about the new ministerial appointments, Arıkan said, "I see the ministerial appointments as a link added to the point where the country is heading towards a snap election. When approaching the elections, three ministers change: transportation, justice, and interior. Two have changed. A snap election can happen at any moment. It depends on the performance of the Minister of Justice."
Mahmut Arıkan, the Chairman of the Felicity Party, made statements regarding the agenda during a live broadcast on Haberler.com. Speaking about the new ministerial appointments, Arıkan made a striking claim. He asserted that the ministerial appointments are the last link in going to an early election.
Highlights from Arıkan's statements are as follows:
"I congratulate our new ministers. I wish both ministers success in their efforts to restore the trust environment that Turkey has lost, prioritizing the law without any prejudices. If tensions rise in the Parliament, trust decreases in the streets. Tensions rise in the streets. Our streets are left in the hands of gangs. Due to the fighting language in the Parliament, unfortunately, the streets become insecure.
"TURKEY NEEDS NOT A SHOUTING POLITICS, BUT A CONSENSUS POLITICS" Today, there is a curiosity for shouting politicians in Turkey. There is a belief that shouting politicians gain popularity. Turkey needs not shouting politics, but speaking and consensus politics. We want to fill this gap.
"A NEW LINK IN GOING TO ELECTIONS" I see the ministerial appointments as an added link in the country's move towards an early election. When approaching elections, three ministers change: Transportation, Justice, and Interior. Two have changed. What did Mr. Yerlikaya and Mr. Yılmaz Tunç do wrong to be dismissed? They need to share this.
"THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE SHOULD BE ABOVE PARTIES" The Minister of Justice should be above parties. It should be above politics. There should not be so much conflict with the opposition. It is necessary to establish an institution where people will not have concerns from tomorrow, and where justice will treat 86 million equally. I hope a management model is established that does not revive the memories from Akın Gürlek's time at the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. I hope it governs justly and works for the realization of justice for the survival of the government.
DISPUTES REGARDING THE INTERIOR MINISTER "MEMORY" The Interior Minister has also been appointed. The government is conducting PR work based on the minister's memory. The opposition is working to discredit him based on his memory. A person's memory does not mean much for that position. There is such a harsh polarization that it is a disturbing situation for Turkey.
PROCESS OF A TURKEY WITHOUT TERRORISM Today, we say that the issue should be read through justice and brought into politics with a language of brotherhood. But a year has passed, and we have zero results. Unfortunately, we see that the language has been reduced to just Öcalan and the terrorists operating for the PKK, which is not right. But we still want to look at this issue positively and hope for a positive outcome for this process. If the process ends negatively, we may not find the opportunity to achieve such a broad consensus again.
Regional countries need to be at the table regarding the solution to this problem. One of the most important elements is the USA. An organization should be established with the participation of Iran, Iraq, and Syria to see the realities of the region. I do not consider the possibility of Öcalan having a right to hope.
Mahmut Arıkan, Chairman of the Felicity Party "A THIRD WAY IN POLITICS IS ESSENTIAL" I read the alliance news from the table just like you do. There is no such mechanism or traffic of discussions with the parties. With the presidential government system, a party's statement of going to the elections alone is an empty statement. It is not possible to have a say in governance without forming an alliance. A third way is essential for these people. There is a significant mass that is not satisfied with the current government and the main opposition. There is a mechanism, discussions are being held in the background, but it is not at a point to be announced to the public right now. What we mean by a third way is not a strong opposition, but a strong government.
POLLING STUDIES AND VOTING RATES We are conducting polling studies. When we look at the member registrations for the second half of 2025, we are the party that has increased its membership the most. There are over 80,000 registrations. We cannot say that we are at the desired voting rate right now. In one year, we increased our voting rate from 1% to 2.5%.
"TOM BARRACK'S NAME APPEARS 544 TIMES IN EPSTEIN FILES" Epstein's connections to Turkey need to be addressed immediately. Tom Barrack. The U.S. ambassador to Turkey. This name appears 544 times in the Epstein documents. And no sanctions have been applied regarding this name yet. We have children missing in the earthquake. After 2016, the Turkish Statistical Institute stopped releasing data on missing children. I wonder why. Tom Barrack is a name that should not even be shaken hands with. Turkey should take a stance against the USA on this issue.
DRUG OPERATIONS TARGETING CELEBRITIES If we are going to discuss Turkey's survival issue, we need to talk about this. It threatens our future. It has become so widespread that it has reached elementary schools. The latest operations have diluted the issue and turned it into a tabloid story. Instead of waiting for days to see what comes out of a football player's or a folk singer's hair and nails, it is necessary to prevent drug sales in that elementary school.
"WE NEED TO DRAIN THE SWAMP" The Ministry of Interior says that so much drugs have been seized in operations. Well, who is the baron? Who is bringing this drug into the country? We are busy catching mosquitoes. And there is also the swamp. The owners of that swamp are the drug barons. We see that no operations are being conducted against them. Hopefully, those operations will be carried out so that we can take a deep breath. Hopefully, the ministers will deal with the swamp part of this issue, not just the mosquito part, without fear of anyone.
"THE ECONOMY IS THE WEAK LINK OF THE GOVERNMENT" The economy is one of the weakest links of the government. When Mr. Şimşek was appointed to the head of the economy, inflation was around 38%, today it is at 31%. Three years have passed. Very harsh policies have been implemented. A figure below the hunger threshold was offered to retirees. For the first time in the history of the republic, the minimum wage has fallen below the hunger threshold. Farmers have been left behind. Tradesmen and tax office employees are working together. Inflation, which was 1% in January, rose to 5% within a month.
For the economy to improve, the government needs to improve. When they came to power in 2002, they said they would fight poverty. At that time, the pension was 50% more than the minimum wage. 23 years have passed, and today the lowest pension is 25% below the minimum wage. Because there is a problem in their mentality. They have created a setup just to please the interest lobbies.
"GIVE US A YEAR." On Monday, if the government says we couldn't do this, you do it. Let them give us a year, we can make Turkey livable in a year. We can solve the problems they see as enormous and unsolvable.
Because we have the spirit of National View, we have the essence of National View.
"EVERY TIME WE HAVE COME TO POWER, THE COUNTRY HAS SMILED" Every time we have come to power, the face of the country has smiled. We carried out the Cyprus Peace Operation, we stood up to the USA. We were able to take over the US bases. By initiating a heavy industry move, we equipped the country with factories on all sides. We were able to establish a unity against NATO and the EU like the D-8. We have been able to talk about our own defense pact. For the first and last time in the history of the Republic of Turkey, we have achieved a balanced budget.
"UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ARE HOPELESS ABOUT THE FUTURE" We need to give hope to the country first. People are unhappy. People have forgotten how to smile. Right now, the credibility of the ruling officials has diminished. Secondly, we must establish justice in a complete sense in Turkey. We will tell judges and prosecutors: When making decisions, decide according to the laws, evidence, and your conscience. We must guarantee this. The other issue is the economy. Our people are hungry. Parents are heartbroken because they cannot give their children two olives and a piece of bread. University students are hopeless about the future. They cannot make ends meet with the scholarships they receive.
"AN EARLY ELECTION CAN HAPPEN AT ANY MOMENT" An early election can happen at any moment. It depends on the performance of the Minister of Justice. If he performs a fair ministry, I do not expect early elections. Under normal circumstances, it is not possible for the ruling party to win elections. But if an operation is carried out through the minister, there could be an early election in May or June at any moment.
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