AKP's close ally: ‘Erdoğan's sociology is eroding’

Your statements to 140journos have made a significant impact within your party. What do you have to say?

Metin Külünk: No one accepts self-criticism. This is a fundamental problem in the Islamic world. We suffer from mental stagnation and the "dynastic mentality." While we deal with these issues, Netanyahu goes to America and gets applause.

Is there a greater insult and blasphemy to humanity than this?

I sincerely want our President to succeed. You may not like him, others might, but there is a common ground: Democracy, the Republic, and Parliament. The three core values that Mustafa Kemal brought to this country.

All the good things President Erdoğan has done are things that make the nation happy. But the gaps left also cause significant sorrow. I am aware of these.

Did you convey your criticisms to the President?

I don’t publicize my conversations with him. It's against my manners. I don't think saying "I told him so" is appropriate. But rest assured, if I'm saying these things openly, it means I see something on the streets. I'm someone who walks alone, constantly traveling. I see a wave that concerns us all. Who will we overcome this wave with? With Mr. President.

But now I look at what is happening. For example, just this debate on animal rights.

If I showed you only the photo of a child killed by a stray dog, what would you do? This is a reality. But if you turn around and say, "Let's take precautions, but there is also a serious concern in society. There is a belief that dogs will be killed en masse because of these incidents. We can find a formula that doesn't involve killing," I am sure the President would say, "Work on this issue from this perspective."

I was so saddened to hear the phrase "The streets are unsafe."

I read what Mücahit wrote. I wish he could have listened to what I said with a language of truth, not political language. I'm not saying anything personal.

But Mücahit Birinci also says, "Join another party and express it there."

I have 52 years of struggle. He shouldn't say that to me. If we can't maintain a tradition of self-criticism, if we can't hold a mirror to ourselves and express our truths and mistakes, what will we do? I am now just a member of the AK Party. I have no MKYK membership, no parliamentary seat, no managerial role. And I see the pain on the streets.

'TRYING TO PREVENT THE GLASS FROM CRACKING'

For years, the same thesis has been voiced: "The President is being misled by his entourage. The President is good, but his entourage is bad!" Isn’t this a bit simplistic? After all, Erdoğan is a leader with significant political acumen.

My concern is this: The biggest strength we have in addressing the shortcomings discussed on the street is our President himself. His presence in this regard is valuable and important for all of us. I am aware of what you are saying. I want to contribute to addressing the shortcomings by bridging the critical approaches on the street with Mr. President. I say that Erdoğan’s sociology in Turkey is eroding. Pay attention to my statement. No one is aware, I have written this before, and I have been saying it for five years. Since May, I have said, "Gentlemen, wake up. Erdoğan's sociology is eroding." Because Erdoğan has a sociology that has developed since his time as the Istanbul Provincial Chairman of the Welfare Party, based on emotional, intellectual, and realistic foundations. This sociology was not granted to every leader in Turkey. I exclude Mustafa Kemal from this. Despite all the criticisms directed at Atatürk, CHP still moves with Atatürk's sociology as the main vein. Ecevit had it for a certain period, and so did Erbakan and Türkeş, but theirs were not government sociologies.

In 2023, the street eroded the AK Party's sociology. It gave its response but stood by Erdoğan. After 2024, people expected Mr. President to say, "We got the message" and act accordingly. When the global situation started affecting people's lives and neoliberalism was insisted upon, I said, "Erdoğan's sociology is eroding." Can it be reversed? Yes, it can. I speak openly on these issues. I am a founder of the AK Party. In this sense, no one has the right to question my affiliation with the AK Party and my relationship with Mr. Erdoğan.

Every day, there are friends who applaud party policies on TV. Who will discuss Mr. President's mistakes from top to bottom in case of a possible change of power in the next election? The same people. So, why do you plan to speak after the glass has cracked, but remain silent now? I am trying to prevent the glass from cracking.

But aren’t you narrowing the issue down to just the economy? For instance, isn’t injustice a serious issue in this country?

No. Let me complain, you obviously haven’t read what I’ve written... I have never interpreted elections solely from an economic perspective. The election result is entirely about the loss of the mental and emotional connection between the AK Party and the street. One of the reasons for this is issues of rights, justice, merit, and competence.