Metin Külünk Urges President Erdoğan​ to Step ‌Down Amid ‍Declining Popularity

Metin Külünk, a former deputy of Turkey’s ruling Justice and‍ Development Party (AKP), has ⁣called on President and AKP leader‍ Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to leave the presidency “at ⁤its peak.”

In a recent video interview with 12 punto, Külünk argued that Erdoğan’s popularity has been declining following the defeat of the local election. The AKP’s loss in the March 31 ⁣local election marked the first​ time the party failed to become the leading party in an election since its establishment​ in 2001.

Külünk attributed​ Erdoğan’s declining popularity to his perceived disconnect from the working class and low-income individuals who once supported him. ⁣”Erdoğan was previously ‘the brother who stood next to ⁣the laborers, the ​workers, the shopkeepers, the low-income people, the farmers and the peasants at every moment. He was ‘Ein Erdoğan’, ‘Our ‍Tayyip’,” Külünk said.

He ⁣also criticized the AKP era for increasing the ​wealth of⁤ the rich, stating that “the narrow elite circles that have become rich thanks to the AKP are no different from ‌other pre-AKP rich people.” Külünk expressed concern that the people’s trust in Erdoğan has been declining steeply over ⁢the past 3-4 years.

Külünk argued that the local election results reflect the nation’s dissatisfaction with ⁣the unregulated model in local governments and the psychology of religion. He stated that the‌ people are tired of organizations hiding behind Erdoğan’s name and transforming politics into‍ a ​relationship of interest by building feudalism at the local level.

If the ‍problems in the economy and politics are not resolved, Külünk warned that the early​ election would be discussed ⁢in 2025. He urged Erdoğan to “leave with⁤ a ‍good memory” and transfer power while‍ the ‌presidency ​is still in ​its prime.

About Metin Külünk

Metin Külünk,⁣ aged 64,⁢ served as an AKP deputy between 2011 and 2018 for three terms.