The CPP lobbying has intensified after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s meeting with former CPP chairman Meral Akşener. Various suspicions about the meeting were raised, and party insiders pointed out that the meeting will accelerate defections from the CPP. Regarding the meeting, CPP Chairman Musavat Dervisoğlu said, “I was informed by the founding chairman by phone after the visit. He made some statements that he spoke about Turkey. Apart from this, he did not make any statements that could be considered private.”
Following party chairman Musavat Dervisoğlu Cīyi’s statement that “we are clear about the constitution,” the sudden meeting between Erdoğan and Akşener caused a stir behind the political scenes. The meeting lasted about 40 minutes at the palace. The incident raised suspicions that Akşener wanted one of his family members to become an ambassador, that he might join the People’s Alliance, and that there had been negotiations with parliament members regarding the new constitution. It was revealed that Cūyi’s party officials were unaware of the meeting. Regarding suspicions that Akşener had been offered the vice-presidential position, Dervisoğlu said, “I don’t think that’s possible.” However, the meeting poured cold water on the party base and staff.
It is alleged that harsh criticism of Akşener was expressed among party members.
“It opens doors.”
The prevailing opinion among staff members is that the Cīyi Party is responsible for the Akşener-Erdoğan meeting. Party officials emphasized that the party’s base is the opposition, and said, “There will be more defections from the organization. The party’s collapse will accelerate,” he commented. “Mr. Akşener opens the way for Mr. Erdoğan, who cannot constitutionally run for president again, to rule the country again,” a party official said. Furthermore, party members expect Mr. Akşener to continue contact with Mr. Erdoğan in the coming days.
