Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli addressed current issues at his party's weekly group meeting in the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye. The most striking part of Bahçeli's speech concerned the protests that have turned violent in France and several other European countries.
Bahçeli said rising costs, declining social welfare and economic hardships were fueling anger in European societies, adding, "The seeds of discord Europe sowed have begun returning to it." Arguing that the period in which Europe unquestioningly maintained its economic and technological superiority was over, Bahçeli recalled the commonly used saying that "Europe is like a bicycle: It has to keep moving; if it stops, it falls," and claimed that Europe now "no longer has the strength to keep pedaling."
Bahçeli said the European Union, which questions Türkiye, should first address its own problems. Welcoming the Libyan House of Representatives' approval of the memorandum on maritime jurisdiction areas signed with Türkiye, Bahçeli responded to the EU's criticism by saying, "Neither Türkiye nor Libya is obliged to act in line with their expectations and demands."
"It is time to leave corruption and disgrace behind"
Bahçeli also addressed domestic politics, calling for an end to the burdens weighing on political life. He said, "It is now time to leave corruption, disgrace and all the burdens weighing on politics behind," stressing that politics must be freed from the shadow of personal agendas, party fanaticism and sterile disputes.
"Those who test our citizens' patience and insist on continuing to be a burden instead of taking on responsibility should not underestimate the people's wisdom or foresight," Bahçeli said. The MHP leader accused his political rivals of muddying the waters through smears and distortions, warning those seeking to use the streets to create tension: "No one should miscalculate."
A Türkiye free of terrorism and regional developments
Bahçeli highlighted the historic importance of the vision of a Türkiye free of terrorism and a region free of terrorism, saying, "Terrorism will end, and brotherhood will rise." He said the election results in Israel had "effectively split the country's politics in two" and criticized settler attacks continuing in the West Bank despite the ceasefire in Gaza. He also said the war between the United States-Israel and Iran, along with developments in the Strait of Hormuz, continued to threaten regional stability.
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