Özgür Özel's reaction to the operation against mayors in Mersin

New Party Chairman Özgür Özel answered journalists' questions in the Parliament and made evaluations about the agenda. Asked for his views on the fund investigations, Özel expressed his criticism of some appointments made by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Özgür Özel stated that the losses of the fund victims should be collected from "those who commit corruption and fraud" without being blamed on the nation, and pointed to the bill they prepared on the subject.

Stating that they will participate and fight if an investigation commission is established in the Turkish Grand National Assembly regarding the fund investigations, Özel said, "If they want, they can establish a commission, we will go and defend the rights of the nation there. The nation will see how they prevent the commission from working. Even if they do not establish it, they will know. We will essentially establish this commission as an investigation commission after the election." he said.

Özel reminded that Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Vahap Seçer, Yenişehir Mayor Abdullah Özyiğit and Mezitli Mayor Ahmet Serkan Tuncer were detained within the scope of the corruption investigation carried out by the Mersin Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and asked for their evaluations, and reminded that Vahap Seçer was elected mayor with a high rate of votes.

Stating that Seçer is also the President of the Union of Municipalities of Turkey (TBB), Özel said, "They are doing these things with the anger of having lost the majority in the TBB since the day they were founded. They also hope that the Mersin operation, that is, this fog and cover coming from the south, will cover up the funding crisis. In this respect, the time and manner of the operation and the fact that it was carried out against three mayors in one city are extremely significant." he said.

Özgür Özel also touched upon various operations against some municipalities in Istanbul and argued that the aim here is to "change the equation in the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality". Addressing President Erdoğan, Özel said, "Let's ask Mr. Tayyip here, 'Whoever loses Istanbul would lose Türkiye, whoever wins would win Türkiye', is this how you will win Istanbul?" posed the question.

Explaining that they stand behind the elected officials, Özel emphasized that they do not discriminate between political parties on this issue. Noting that they also faced "hypocrisy", Özel continued his words as follows:

"Those who say 'purification' when our friends, politicians close to us, our companions are subjected to an operation, those who say 'purification' when our friends are close to us, say 'these cases are not political, these cases are judicial processes. That's why they should go away, be purified, let them be held accountable', and those who appoint a committee when the same thing is done to a mayor who says 'I will stay in the party' and their reactionary approach is the height of hypocrisy."