Bahçeli rejects claims of division within the People’s Alliance
Devlet Bahçeli, leader of Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), responding to allegations of discord within the “People’s Alliance of Turkey,” stressed that no one would be able to create a rift in this union. He described the alliance as “the guarantor of Turkey’s future and independence,” stating that its foundation rests on moral beliefs, spiritual values, and love for the homeland and nation, and that its strength grows with each passing day.
Bahçeli added: “This union is not like a glass vase that can crack or be damaged.” He accused the Republican People’s Party of Turkey (CHP) and its allies of attempting to create a negative atmosphere against the alliance through ideological prejudices and unprincipled approaches, but dismissed these efforts as “worthless.”
In another part of his remarks, Bahçeli addressed the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, describing it as being at the highest possible level — a crisis that, according to him, evokes conditions similar to the 1943 Bengal famine. He characterized Israel’s actions as “the spread of violence and an attempt to drive the Palestinian people from their lands,” and called for an immediate halt to arms shipments to this regime, the suspension of diplomatic relations, the severing of trade and investment, and the urgent deployment of United Nations peacekeeping forces to Gaza.
Referring to the Alaska summit and meetings between European leaders and the U.S. president, the MHP leader said: “If the real goal is to establish peace and tranquility, the humanitarian and historical catastrophe in Gaza must be stopped before any action is taken for Ukraine.”
Bahçeli also described the request by Özgür Özel, chairman of the Republican People’s Party, for an extraordinary session of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) on Gaza as “pointless,” adding: “There is nothing left unsaid about this catastrophe; now is the time for action and implementation of decisions, not speeches.”
Continuing, Bahçeli addressed the fight against terrorism within Turkey, calling the goal of a “terror-free Turkey” a clear example of efforts to establish lasting peace and stability. He emphasized that Turkey seeks to ensure domestic peace and social tranquility without foreign mediation, and aims to form a ring of lasting peace around itself through active, human-centered diplomacy.
Meanwhile, some reports announced the arrest of Selahattin Yılmaz, identified as a figure linked to organized groups. It is claimed that during his detention, he enjoyed different and better conditions compared to other detainees. Yılmaz’s name became more prominent when the MHP leader publicly supported him after his arrest — a stance that fueled speculation about divisions within the People’s Alliance. However, Bahçeli once again stressed that no such division exists and that the alliance will continue on its path.
