Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) escalated its war of words with the main opposition on Saturday after party spokesperson Ömer Çelik lambasted Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel for suggesting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is afraid to face voters. In a statement posted on social media, Çelik called Özel’s comment “the pinnacle of political ignorance,” arguing that Erdoğan’s electoral victories have all been achieved “through the ballot box,” which he described as the President’s “most valuable companion.” He accused the CHP of historically treating elections with hostility and said Özel’s remarks were “null and void” in Turkey’s democratic process. Özel had earlier criticized Erdoğan’s stance on prospective elections, prompting the AK Party response. The exchange underscores persistent tensions between the government and the opposition ahead of the next electoral cycle.