MHP's Ongun voices ‘yes' support in dinner conversation

6 September 2010 / HASAN KÜÇÜK, ÜMIT PITIR, MERSIN

Ramiz Ongun, a former candidate for the chair of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), expressed support for those voting “yes” in the upcoming referendum on constitutional reform, at an iftar, or fast breaking dinner, on Saturday.

Ongun sat at the same table as Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during the dinner, which was held at a hotel by the Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) Tarsus district branch over the weekend. Speaking to reporters after the dinner, however, Ongun answered questions ambiguously.

When asked whether his attendance at the dinner meant he supported those voting “yes” in the referendum, Ongun said, “It is possible.” Olgun also said he does not yet have a message for ülkücüs (activist nationalists) regarding the referendum.

Speaking during the dinner, Erdoğan said he believes that “yes” will come out of the referendum. “If we say ‘yes', there will be a serious leap. Turkey has pulled itself together; it is in a good place. There is no longer a Turkey whose agenda has been determined, but a Turkey who determines its agenda,” he said.

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