Arıklı: Erhürman Would Win by a Wide Margin if He Ran as an Independent Supporting a Two-State Solution

Speaking on Gökhan Altıner’s program Sabah Postası, Arıklı emphasized that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan supports the two-state policy, reminding that Erdoğan declared at the UN General Assembly that the federation thesis has been exhausted and that the TRNC should be recognized.

“Here, especially for Tufan Erhürman and those who support him, there is a question that they must overcome and convince the public about,” Arıklı said. “This path cannot be walked without Motherland Turkey. They admit this themselves. Turkey has repeatedly stated that the federation is no longer negotiable. How will Erhürman convince Turkey if he is elected president?”

Arıklı added, “I like Tufan Hoca very much, but he has his dilemmas. If Erhürman ran as an independent candidate and supported the two-state policy, he would win by a very serious margin.” He also criticized the stance of trade unions and members of parliament within Erhürman’s party, saying, “Some call the Turkish army rapists, there are MPs who are anti-Turkey… I do not know how Tufan Hoca will explain President Erdoğan’s speech at the UN. Erhürman is currently avoiding the federation issue as much as possible and talking about domestic politics as if we are heading for a general election. If Erhürman wants a presidential system, let’s discuss it.”

Arıklı said the election race is currently neck and neck, adding that Yeniden Doğuş Partisi (YDP) now has 13,000 members, ranks as the third-largest party in polls, and will be a kingmaker in the election.

He also commented on regional tensions, saying that Israel and Turkey are facing off in Syria, with fingers on the trigger and a very serious possibility of a hot conflict. Arıklı claimed that missiles from Israel are present in South Cyprus, which has given the Baf Air Base to the United States and a warship to India. “You are mingling with every country hostile to Turkey. Are you going to establish a state by forming a federation with South Cyprus, which opens its land to all enemies of Turkey?” he asked.