22.02.2026 13:20
AK Party Deputy Chairman Ahmet Büyükgümüş announced the results of the latest polls. Stating that "President Erdoğan has an approval rating of over 50%," Büyükgümüş also answered questions regarding early elections and the alliance with the DEM Party.
AK Party Deputy Chairman Ahmet Büyükgümüş answered journalist Mehmet Acet's questions during a television program he attended. Referring to the latest poll results, Büyükgümüş stated, "President Erdoğan has an approval rating of over 50%."
"WE HAVE COME THIS FAR THANKS TO THE SACRIFICES OF OUR ELDERS" "The main points from Ahmet Büyükgümüş's statements are as follows; "We reviewed our organizational activities in Bursa. We are trying to be present wherever there is Ramadan until sahur. We are a political party with very institutionalized workflows and decision-making methods. What do we give of ourselves? If we were to summarize organization in one word, it would be sacrifice. We are a family that fights with the prayers of tens of thousands of our volunteers, whom we call unsung heroes, who have contributed to our party since its establishment. We have come this far thanks to the sacrifices of our elders.
Since the establishment, we have been acting together with all actors in the field. There will definitely be critics, and this is a very healthy thing. The party base always wants to improve itself. We see this in our election activities as well. This Ramadan provides a beautiful opportunity for that. Every January, the members of political parties are announced. In January, our organizations worked in the field and we surpassed the number of 11 million 443 thousand. We gained 600 thousand new members compared to the previous year. We aim for continuous renewal with our members. We will visit our members living in 2 million households one by one.
"WE ADDRESS THE ENTIRE SOCIETY" We have provincial organizations in all 81 provinces of Turkey, and district organizations in 973 districts. There is a representative of the AK Party in every neighborhood and every village. We strive to carry out all our activities on a neighborhood basis. One of the most important innovations that our AK Party has brought to politics is working based on the ballot box. We do politics by looking at 100% of society. We do not say, "If we could get the votes of this segment." We address the entire society. For us, there are those who vote for Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and those who are candidates to vote.
We need to think in two dimensions regarding our party activities; the existence or absence of the election does not mean anything. We act as if there is an election every Sunday. We always work ready for the people's evaluation. On the other hand, we need to act with the responsibility of being in power. Therefore, our activities always have these two dimensions. In fact, after the 2023 elections, we worked with the aim of rebuilding the earthquake region. We delivered the keys to the 455,000th house to our citizens. We are talking about an operation that has rebuilt an area the size of Portugal. Not just houses, but roads, hospitals, everything necessary in a city has been constructed.
We visited our sister Esma's house in Adıyaman. We gathered with her at the iftar table in her new home. When we go to the earthquake region, we go with our heads held high. We see great excitement in every city we visit. In the places we go, we meet our people not just with words, but with our actions there. We did not go to the earthquake region in a rush to outdo anyone. Look, even in places where we traditionally received low scores, we carried out high-level work. Houses have been delivered, some of our citizens have received their houses but have gone to other cities due to the earthquake; once the schools are finished, a much more vibrant life will begin there. The good prayers of our nation are with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
CHP'S CALL FOR EARLY ELECTIONS It is normal in politics for the CHP to call for early elections. Later, elections will be held in a more beautiful atmosphere, and the AK Party and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will win. On March 31, we identified serious work to be done where we fell short. Both the vitality we see in the field and the polls, when considered together, show us this.
Mayors are joining under the AK Party umbrella. Our relationship with every friend who joins is progressing. We are thinking of being as prepared as possible for the election activities.
AK Party Deputy Chairman Ahmet Büyükgümüş WILL THERE BE AN EARLY ELECTION? One of the most important promises we made while implementing the government system was the emphasis on stability. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received a promise to govern this country for 5 years in 2023. We believe that our esteemed President should run again, win the elections, and continue to serve our nation.
There should be a decision for early elections in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey with 360 votes. Therefore, a technical date arrangement may take place. The Grand National Assembly will make that decision. As the People's Alliance, we are showing our efforts. I believe that this political situation and work will produce this political result in the Assembly.
THE LATEST STATUS IN POLLS In the polls, we see the reality that the AK Party has widened the gap with the CHP since January. There is no need for Mr. Özel to state that they are the first party. Has there been a period when our esteemed President constantly stated that the AK Party is the first party? Why does Mr. Özel frequently mention this? He is trying to create hope by saying, "No, we are very strong," to address the stagnation in politics. Especially to the CHP Headquarters. We know what he is trying to do. The real situation is that the People's Alliance continues to dominate politics. These numbers may rise one month and fall the next. In fact, it is necessary to measure the long-term trend. In this trend, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has an approval rating of over 50%.
After 2023, we received two instructions from our nation. The first is to recover the earthquake region. The second is, "We are aware of the economic fatigue, and we believe you will solve this. Please solve it." We have fulfilled the first instruction of our nation properly. We see it as an opportunity to overcome economic problems in 2026-2027. In 2028, we will account to our nation. We will say, "We have fulfilled these two instructions, and now we ask for permission again for 5 years."
WHO WILL BE CHP'S CANDIDATE? The person in Silivri gives orders every week. They are trying to comply with those orders. They are trying to spread what one person says to the entire party. But the public observes that they cannot overcome this politically. Look, it is clear how ministers are appointed in law. But despite knowing this, the CHP attempted to occupy the podium. Some members of the CHP group do not agree with this because it is an irrational situation. I think it is the instruction of the mayor in Silivri. There are those who are close to Silivri within the party and those who are distant. The distant ones come out and complain about their chairman. There are some confessors in this file.
These are the members of the CHP. Why aren't you expelling these council members from the party? Because there is no principled stance against these events. There is a political power, and they are looking for a way out here. That's why they sometimes do irrational things. The truth and falsehood of the CHP have lost their meaning.
WILL THERE BE AN ALLIANCE WITH THE DEM PARTY? It is important for us to expand our struggle at all times. We walk together with whoever strengthens us. We are managing the work with a very large team. Will there be new developments from time to time? We will observe this. If you are asking specifically about the DEM Party, the shape of this needs to be seen over time. In 2007-2008, the AK Party, MHP, and BDP formed 411 votes. The DEM Party was the BDP at that time. It is too early to talk about the election-related issue.