HÜDA PAR Chairman Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu has called for mandatory drug testing as part of public-sector recruitment, warning that substance abuse and broader social decay pose a growing threat to Turkish society.

Speaking at the fifth ordinary congress of HÜDA PAR’s Bursa provincial organization, Yapıcıoğlu addressed a wide range of issues, including drug addiction, family values, economic inequality, the Gaza war, Western civilization, the Kurdish issue and the “Terror-Free Türkiye” process.

The congress was held under the slogan “Honest Politics, True Justice” at the Merinos Atatürk Congress and Culture Center (AKKM) in Bursa. The gathering began with a recitation from the Quran and was attended by HÜDA PAR officials, lawmakers, representatives of political parties and civil society organizations, as well as a large number of party supporters.

Yapıcıoğlu calls for drug testing in public appointments

One of the central themes of Yapıcıoğlu’s speech was the fight against drug addiction and what he described as increasing social deterioration.

Referring to recent drug tests conducted among municipal employees, Yapıcıoğlu said 129 of 213 workers tested positive, describing the figures as a “horrific picture.”

He argued that stronger measures are needed to protect young people from addiction and called for drug testing to become a requirement for public-sector recruitment.

“Someone addicted to drugs should not be appointed to public office until they have been treated and recovered,” Yapıcıoğlu said.

He added that penalties should be increased when public officials facilitate the sale or use of drugs and argued that protecting the family should be regarded as a constitutional responsibility.

Yapıcıoğlu also criticized what he described as forms of modern addiction linked to digital technology, saying that unlimited freedom should not be confused with genuine freedom.

“The goal of politics should be to protect human dignity”

Yapıcıoğlu said HÜDA PAR's political approach is built around the principles of humanity and justice.

Recalling the party's slogan of “Honest Politics, True Justice,” he said political power should ultimately serve to protect human dignity, including people's lives, property, faith, intellect and family.

He argued that justice should remain the central objective of political activity and governance.

Strong criticism of capitalism and economic inequality

The HÜDA PAR leader also criticized Türkiye's economic difficulties, rising living costs and income inequality, linking them to the structural problems of capitalism.

According to Yapıcıoğlu, the capitalist economic model encourages exploitation and repeatedly generates financial crises.

“Capitalism is a system of exploitation,” he said, arguing that changing political leaders alone would not be enough to resolve the country's economic problems.

Using a railway analogy, he said changing the driver would make little difference if the tracks remained unchanged.

“What difference does it make if the train driver changes? The rails are the same, the train is the same. We say a switch of the tracks is needed.”

He called for a fundamental change to the economic system, arguing that otherwise low-income workers would continue to bear the greatest burden while wealth remained concentrated in the hands of a smaller segment of society.

Yapıcıoğlu condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza

Yapıcıoğlu also devoted a significant portion of his speech to Gaza, strongly condemning Israel's military operations and describing Zionism as a threat extending beyond the Palestinian territories.

He argued that the conflict should not be viewed solely as a war between Israel and Hamas, or as a Jewish-Muslim or Jewish-Arab conflict.

“This is Zionism’s war against humanity,” he said, calling on the international community to oppose what he described as Zionist violence.

Yapıcıoğlu accused Israel of targeting civilians and medical facilities and criticized the international community for failing to prevent continued attacks despite ceasefire efforts.

“Terror-Free Türkiye” process

Turning to the Kurdish issue and the ongoing “Terror-Free Türkiye” process, Yapıcıoğlu said ending violence alone would not be sufficient to achieve a lasting solution.

He noted that Turkish authorities refer to the initiative as the “Terror-Free Türkiye” process, while HÜDA PAR describes it as a process aimed at the liquidation of the PKK.

However, he argued that the process must go beyond security measures and address broader political and social issues.

“The process should not remain limited to the closing of that parenthesis of violence. The law of brotherhood must also be established,” he said.

Yapıcıoğlu called for stronger social cohesion and said Türkiye could overcome its challenges by reviving what he described as the spirit of Manzikert and Çanakkale.

Bursa leadership criticizes local government

Earlier at the congress, HÜDA PAR Bursa Provincial Chairman Zeki Aras criticized the performance of the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality under CHP Mayor Mustafa Bozbey.

Aras said HÜDA PAR representatives had visited all 17 districts of Bursa and met with civil society organizations, journalists, public officials, tradespeople and residents to identify local problems.

He particularly criticized water shortages, rising water bills, transportation difficulties and traffic congestion.

Aras also accused the municipal administration of prioritizing concerts and other spending rather than addressing infrastructure and transportation problems.

“We will continue to defend the rights of our people, the nature of our city and our civilizational values,” Aras said.

Aras re-elected as Bursa provincial chairman

The congress concluded with an election for the provincial leadership.

Running on a single list, incumbent chairman Zeki Aras received the votes of all delegates and was re-elected as head of HÜDA PAR's Bursa provincial organization.

Yapıcıoğlu also emphasized HÜDA PAR's internal unity, describing political responsibility as a relay race rather than a competition for positions.

He pointed to former party chairman İshak Sağlam, who continues to serve as a deputy chairman, as an example of this approach.

“In our ranks, the one who leaves the driver’s seat does not get out of the car,” Yapıcıoğlu said.

He concluded by urging party members to remain committed to their political objectives and continue working without fatigue until what he described as the party's mission is fulfilled. (ILKHA)