Presidential Aide: 'Babacan, Davutoğlu Aim to Prevent Erdoğan's Reelection'

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Presidency Supreme Advisory Council member Mehmet Ali Şahin has commented on preparations by former PM Ahmet Davutoğlu and former Deputy PM Ali Babacan to found new parties.

Speaking to reporters in Karabük province, Şahin said, "It is impossible for them to come to power in Turkey."

For Ali Babacan, "He resigned from the party. He made one or two press statements, saying, 'We are working.' It would be much better had he not acted in such a way. Because we served in the same cabinet. He is a friend we personally like. We are upset that he made such a move," Şahin remarked.

Şahin claimed that Babacan and Davutoğlu aim not to come to power, but prevent Erdoğan's reelection in the 2023 presidential vote.

"It is not possible for them to come to power in Turkey. Because the new presidential government system stipulates 50 percent + one vote to come to power.

"How many votes will they receive? They hope they will snatch away some votes from us. What will they have done then?

"They may found a party, maybe they can nominate a candidate. Maybe they will make efforts to prevent Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's election in the first round.

"Some want a Turkey without Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. These friends of ours, who began their journey with Erdoğan and served Turkey for years, supporting a project of Turkey without Erdoğan increases our sadness. It is not possible for them to get a result." (EKN/VK)