Devlet Bahçeli, the Chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), delivered a wide-ranging and impactful address during his party’s parliamentary group meeting at the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) this week. Addressing a packed hall of lawmakers and citizens, Bahçeli touched upon a diverse array of critical issues, ranging from national security and regional geopolitics to domestic judicial investigations and international social unrest. Central to his message was a resolute commitment to the "Terror-free Türkiye" and "Terror-free region" initiatives, which he asserted would be pursued with unwavering seriousness and sincerity.
The MHP Leader emphasized that Türkiye is at a historical crossroads, navigating a complex global landscape while striving to maintain internal stability and regional leadership. "Türkiye will not turn back from its path, and the Turkish nation will not retreat from its decision," Bahçeli declared, setting a firm tone for a speech that blended historical perspective with contemporary political critique. Throughout his evaluation of the current agenda, Bahçeli offered sharp insights into Israel’s regional provocations, the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, escalating tensions with Greece, and the ethical implications of ongoing financial and municipal corruption investigations within Türkiye.
Accidents That Saddened the Nation
Bahçeli began his address on a somber note, acknowledging a series of tragic incidents that have recently shaken the Turkish public. He expressed deep grief over the loss of life in several accidents across the country. In Istanbul’s Maltepe district, the collapse of two floors of a building resulted in five fatalities and eleven injuries. This tragedy was compounded by a series of devastating traffic accidents: one in the Akhisar district of Manisa, which claimed eleven lives and left 27 injured, and another in Kahramanmaraş, where a young citizen died and seven others, including MHP Kahramanmaraş Deputy Zuhal Karakoç, were injured.
Extending his condolences to the families of the deceased and wishing
a speedy recovery to the wounded, Bahçeli utilized these tragedies to call for systemic improvements. He emphasized that the safety of life must be the absolute priority in traffic management and urban planning. Specifically, he urged the rapid completion of the national mobilization for urban transformation (kentsel dönüşüm), particularly in areas prone to seismic activity. "The construction of safe buildings across every corner of our country, starting with priority earthquake risk zones, is not just a policy but a necessity for the preservation of our people," he noted.
"Our Political Center is Türkiye"
Shifting to a broader philosophical and geopolitical framework, Bahçeli described Türkiye as a state whose power is recognized globally, rooted in a magnificent civilization and a rich Turkish-Islamic tradition. He argued that Türkiye is more than just a geographic entity; it is the address for new global reconciliations and a beacon of hope for oppressed nations seeking a life of dignity and freedom.
He urged the nation to move past superficial debates that lack social resonance and instead focus its energy on building a prosperous, happy country. "Our ideological coordinates may differ, but our political center is always Türkiye," Bahçeli stated, reiterating a point from his previous week’s address. He expressed absolute confidence in the Turkish nation’s ability to merge its deep historical experience with universal democratic values to create a new, grand civilization. This civilizational march, he explained, must draw its spiritual climate from Turkish-Islamic sources and its cultural foundations from ancient values.
"The Turkish Nation Will Not Turn Back From Its Decision"
The MHP Leader provided further depth to his vision of a "Terror-free Türkiye," describing it as the consciousness of building a new civilization centered on Türkiye—one that preaches a just order for humanity and fosters the will to live in unity and peace. He warned that this initiative, while promising for the region, has unsettled those who harbor ambitions of regional dominance or seek to weaken Türkiye.
Bahçeli reminded his audience that throughout history, various methods—economic, political, social, and violent—have been used to polarize the Turkish nation and destabilize the state. He asserted that those who seek to sabotage the current environment of peace and security are once again active. However, he remained defiant, stating that the steps toward a terror-free nation would continue with sincerity and would be brought to a conclusion in the shortest possible time.
Israeli Provocations and Regional Stability
Turning his attention to the Middle East, Bahçeli condemned the increasing level of provocation by Israel, particularly regarding the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the first qibla of Islam. He characterized these actions as a display of "Israeli barbarism" and warned that such provocations are being fueled by domestic political calculations within Israel as they approach elections.
Simultaneously, he addressed the Houthi attacks originating from Yemen, which have targeted the holy lands and destabilized the region. Bahçeli argued that while the rhetoric of various regional actors may differ, their actions often serve the same destabilizing purpose. He made it clear that the MHP would not remain silent or tolerant toward attacks on Al-Aqsa, the Kaaba, or the holy sanctuary of the Prophet Muhammad.
"Even if our holy lands are within the borders of another sovereign state, the memory of our ancestors’ campaigns to repulse aggressors is preserved in the records of history," Bahçeli said. He called for the use of all diplomatic means, and if necessary, deterrent force, to protect these sacred sites. He specifically mentioned that within the framework of the "Mecca Alliance," Türkiye should provide all necessary military support for the defense of Saudi Arabia, emphasizing that attacks on civilians and infrastructure constitute a grave violation of international law.
Bahçeli cited specific incidents, such as the October 10 attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which resulted in significant casualties. He warned that the escalation of conflict in Yemen threatens the security of the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, posing risks to international trade and energy security. He called for an immediate end to Houthi attacks and a move toward dialogue and diplomacy, urging the Islamic world to stand united against those who sow seeds of discord for the benefit of "those rubbing their hands in Tel Aviv."
Strong Reaction to Greece and Maritime Rights
Bahçeli also addressed the ongoing tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean, specifically targeting the Greek administration’s attempts to form alliances with Israel to bypass Türkiye’s maritime jurisdiction rights. He dismissed Athens’ belief that Israel could protect them against Turkish interests as a failure to learn from both history and current realities.
The MHP Leader criticized the proposed electricity connection project between Greece, the Greek Cypriot Administration, and Israel, noting that attempts to ignore Türkiye’s required coordination are serious errors. "If Greece wants lasting peace in our region, it must remember that the path to this lies in establishing friendly relations with its neighbors," he cautioned. He advised the Greek government that if they are arming themselves out of fear of Türkiye, they should instead seek refuge in "Turkish peace," and if they are arming themselves to intimidate Türkiye, they should know that no power can scare the Turkish nation. He stressed that the respect and friendship offered by Türkiye are far more powerful than any weapons sold by Israel.
"Türkiye is in a Period of Purification"
On the domestic front, Bahçeli characterized the current era as a period of "purification and exoneration" for the Turkish state and society. He expressed support for ongoing operations aimed at exposing illegalities and the exploitation of public interests. However, he also warned against attempts by certain political and media circles to use these judicial processes to create social unrest or a sense of institutional collapse.
He touched upon the issue of corruption in municipalities, insisting that those who reach for the rights of the "orphan" or damage public property must not be allowed to appear innocent through political maneuvering. Bahçeli also called for thorough investigations into developments in capital markets, the football world, and the refereeing community to ensure that Türkiye is cleansed of all unconstitutional and unethical elements.
The Opposition, the Fund Investigation, and the "Escape Ramp"
A significant portion of Bahçeli’s critique was directed at the political opposition. He accused them of using the high-profile "fund investigation"—referring to recent financial scams—as an "escape ramp" to hide their own ethical failures and corruption within opposition-run municipalities. He argued that the opposition is attempting to inject a "political anesthesia" into the public discourse to distract from bribery and embezzlement cases in their local governments.
"For us, the fundamental element of a healthy social order is moral standardization," Bahçeli explained. Drawing on the thoughts of intellectual figures like Ziya Gökalp, Sabri Ülgener, and Erol Güngör, he argued that morality is the gravity center of economic and social life. He called for moral standardization to be established first within the institution of politics. He urged the state’s relevant institutions to illuminate the public with accurate information regarding municipal corruption so that the nation can distinguish between the right and the wrong.
International Social Unrest and the Contrast in Education
In the final section of his speech, Bahçeli commented on the recent student protests in France, which were sparked by demands for better educational facilities and equality. He noted that the scenes in Paris, reminiscent of the 1968 unrest and the 2018 Yellow Vest protests, highlight a breakdown in social cohesion and the "hypocrisy" of European leaders who lecture others on democracy while ignoring violence against their own citizens.
In contrast, Bahçeli highlighted Türkiye’s recent progress in the education sector, citing the PISA 2025 results. He noted that Türkiye was the OECD country that most increased its scores in mathematics, science, and reading compared to the previous assessment. He emphasized the importance of allocating maximum resources to national education to prepare a generation that is culturally grounded, technologically capable, and ethically virtuous. "These generations will be the architects of the ‘Turkish Century’ and the guarantee of our future," he concluded, before ending his speech with a call for national unity and the poetic words of the great folk poet Aşık Veysel, urging the nation to work together to build schools and factories instead of engaging in slander.
