Erhürman: No Need for Concern—In This Land, Love Prevails Over Hate

In his message, Erhürman acknowledged the barrage of insults, threats, and slander he and his party have faced. “We’ve been accused of everything—from being enemies of religion and Turkey to being pro-Greek or even Greek ourselves,” he said. He argued that such accusations often come from individuals who neither know the country nor understand its struggles and history. “We must look not only at those who utter such words but also at those who pave the way for them,” he added.

Erhürman also criticised certain political actors for exploiting tensions for political gain, saying, “These are the results of those with no resolve, who ignored our repeated warnings not to let this happen, and who now seek to benefit from the situation with cheap political calculations.”

While admitting, “We said we wouldn’t be divided, yet we were—and maybe that was for the better,” he drew a line between two segments of society. On one side, he said, are those who harbour animosity towards the country and its people, and those who enable such attitudes. On the other, he described a diverse yet united group: “Those who were born here, in Turkey, or elsewhere; who believe or don’t believe; who vote for different parties—but who all love this country, care for its people and their future, and insist on living together under our own traditions and values.”

Erhürman emphasized the importance of this collective identity, saying: “That’s the real ‘us’. While they try to divide it, we’ll unite it. While they try to break it apart, we’ll strengthen it. None of us are going anywhere. Together, we will build a country our children will never want to leave—and one they will long to return to.”

He concluded his message with a reaffirmation of hope and resilience: “There is no need for concern. In this land, hate and resentment are in the minority—love has always been in the majority.”