National Unity Party (UBP) leader and Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, speaking after voting closed in the party's parliamentary candidate selection and ranking election, said the 8,929 members who went to the polls had delivered a record turnout, stressing that the party's goal is single-party government.
Thanking the members who took part, Üstel noted that turnout had surpassed the candidate selection elections held in 2018 and 2022. Saying members had stood up for intra-party democracy, Üstel declared: "This victory is yours! This victory belongs to the UBP!"
Interpreting the results as a strong message to the party, Üstel said: "Today, UBP members said, 'I will stand by my party, I want to remain in power, I want single-party government.' The message from our members is clear. This message is a message of single-party government."
Describing all 71 contenders in the selection process as his fellow travellers, Üstel said no distinction would be made between those who made the list and those who did not. "All 71 of our candidates are my fellow travellers. Those who made the list and those who did not are our brothers and sisters. They are indispensable to this party," he said, adding that they would work together with all candidates.
Noting that the turnout also carried political significance, Üstel responded to critics, saying: "Tonight, a resounding answer has been given to those who said 'the UBP is finished!' Our members have said, 'Finished? We are only just getting started!'" Üstel said the trust shown by members placed a great responsibility on the party leadership and its 50 parliamentary candidates, pledging not to betray the trust of members who left their work, families and fields to come to the polls.
Saying they would carry out intensive work in the coming period, Üstel concluded: "Our goal is clear. Our path is the path to power. Our path is the path to single-party government! Our journey to single-party government began tonight. No stopping, no tiring!"
