Local polls have not whitewashed corruption, MHP leader says

ANKARA

MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli addresses journalist early March 31. AA Photo

Whatever the results of the local elections, they should not be interpreted as an acquittal of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on accusations of immorality, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli said early March 31.

Citing Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s balcony speech where he stood with his family members who are subject to a graft probe after the initial results of the elections, Bahçeli said those who were saluted at the balcony had not been exonerated.

Bahçeli said the post-March 30 period could bring many things for Turkey, since the country had come to a “critical threshold and moved to a dangerous point.”

“Everybody should know that nothing will be the same. The election results will not count for the judiciary and will not fulfill the duty of the courts,” said the MHP leader.

Erdoğan’s balcony speech gave clues for the course of events in Turkey, he said.

“The prime minister will continue to encourage and provoke polarization,” Bahçeli added.

Elaborating on the election results for the MHP, Bahçeli said his party “succeeded,” given the recent problematic political process and constraints of potential.

Noting the MHP had respect for the Turkish people’s choices, Bahçeli said they would examine the election results in detail and analyze them.

Bahçeli also urged the Supreme Election Board (YSK) to make a clarification about the assessment of the election results, since there has been confusion due to the first-ever implementation of the Metropolitan Municipalities Law, which was approved in November 2012 and restructured municipalities through the change of borders.

“In that regard, Mr. Prime Minister made a very early statement. I would suppose that his own balcony speech should not mislead him either,” Bahçeli said.