Turkish MP's Strong Response to Aliyev

In the lead-up to the Turkish presidential elections, a group of Azerbaijani MPs arrived in Igdir on May 25 and visited the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) provincial president Ali Kemal Ayaz. According to Ermenihaber, Azerbaijan's Deputy Speaker of the Milli Majlis, Adil Aliyev, stated during the meeting with Ayaz, "Today, the brotherhood between Turkey and Azerbaijan is at its highest level. Respectable President Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have brought this brotherhood to the highest level. This brotherhood will continue to advance. Turkey and Azerbaijan are strong states that are elements of stability in the region. Can we forget the support shown by President Erdoğan of the Turkish nation and state during the 44-day war?"

One of the MPs included in the delegation remarked, "Let it not be seen that we are interfering in your internal affairs, but Azerbaijanis really love Erdoğan." The delegation led by Azerbaijan's Deputy Speaker Adil Aliyev also held meetings with residents of the Melekli region populated by Azerbaijanis.

Former Istanbul MP of the Republican People's Party (CHP), Ali Özgündüz, expressed his outrage over this situation. He emphasized, "Azerbaijan's interference in Turkey's domestic issues and supporting one side in political competition does not serve Azerbaijan's interests. Regardless of who leads the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Azerbaijan, the friendly and fraternal relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey will continue. These relations did not start with the AKP government and will not end with the AKP's departure."

Meanwhile, opposition Kemalist Republican People's Party (CHP) member and mayor of Bolu, Tanju Özcan, made a post on Twitter demanding Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev not to interfere in Turkey's upcoming presidential elections. "I appeal to the President of Azerbaijan: Dear President, please do not interfere in Turkey's elections. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan thinks differently on many issues. Some Azerbaijani politicians, whom I believe you know, are conducting political work in favor of the Justice and Development Party," he stated.