Turkish Minister Soylu accuses Kılıçdaroğlu of ‘conspiracy’ in Turkey’s biggest scandal
Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu recently appeared on Kanal D’s “What’s Happening Alive” program to answer questions from hosts Hakan Ural and Nur Tuğba Namlı. Soylu discussed a range of issues related to the upcoming election, including the challenges faced by the government during the campaigning process.
According to Soylu, the opposition often claims that elections are held under the influence of the government and tries to create grievances during the election process. Nevertheless, the Minister stressed that Turkey has a vibrant democracy and that the government is laying the groundwork for campaigning as everyone sees fit. However, Soylu noted that posters of the ruling party are being removed in Istanbul, purportedly due to political pressure from the municipality.
Soylu also discussed the measures that the government has taken to ensure that disaster victims can vote during the election. The government has set up more than 1500 container polling stations in the earthquake zone, and has provided all kinds of opportunities for disaster victims to vote. The Minister pointed out that more than 400,000 people have returned to the region to vote, which is a testament to Turkey’s democratic values.
Another issue raised during the program was the terrorist threat posed by the PKK. Soylu stated that the government’s operations against the group have been successful, reducing the number of militants to 83. However, he warned that the opposition’s rhetoric risks normalizing the terrorist organization and even legalizing its activities, which would be extremely dangerous for Turkey.
Finally, Soylu criticized opposition figures such as Meral Akşener, who he claimed were unreliable and lacked a clear political vision. He also responded to comments by Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who accused the government of being involved in the “biggest scandal” in Turkey’s history. Soylu argued that these claims were baseless and represented an attempt to undermine the government’s credibility.
Overall, Soylu’s statements highlighted the government’s commitment to democracy and the challenges it faces in ensuring a fair and transparent election process. While the opposition is likely to continue to launch attacks against the government, the Minister’s comments suggest that the government remains steadfast in pursuit of its goals.
