30.05.2026 19:01
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who returned to the helm of CHP after a 2.5-year hiatus by court decision, faced a shocking reaction from the art world. Famous actress Şebnem Sönmez, in a scathing letter, accused Kılıçdaroğlu of being an "appointed chairman" and harshly criticized his political past. Sönmez made a sharp statement, saying, "You are the symbol of everything we want to cleanse ourselves from. I want a country cleansed of you."
Reactions against Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who returned to the CHP Chairmanship seat by court decision, are growing. Famous actress Şebnem Sönmez, in her open letter titled "Arınmak" (Purification), used vitriolic expressions against Kılıçdaroğlu. Sönmez said, "From the day you first stepped onto the political stage, I am writing so you can hear how you have continually presented the evidence of why I have never liked you to this country," and added: I want a country purified from you.
"TODAY I WONDER WHAT YOU SACRIFICED MY COUNTRY'S SOUL FOR"
In her letter, Sönmez, emphasizing Kılıçdaroğlu's political past and his turning 78, asked a series of harsh questions. Reminding of the processes where "Unconstitutional but yes" was said and the Justice March, the famous actress lashed out at Kılıçdaroğlu with these words: "My questions about your past are countless; I don't care about their answers. Today I wonder what you sacrificed my country's soul for. Today, while you are not even a member of parliament, do you consider it fitting to be the 'appointed' chairperson by the state of the CHP, whose chairmanship you held for years?"
"MAY THE CHOCOLATES SERVED AT HEADQUARTERS NOT BE ENJOYABLE"
The famous actress also touched upon the leadership crisis within CHP and the current administration's exclusion. Sönmez said, "While the elected Chairperson walks soaked in the rain in National Sovereignty Park, may the chocolates served at your headquarters building not be enjoyable. They cannot be anyway. You have no place in my pride or my sorrow."
"PURIFYING THE REPUBLIC FROM YOUR MENTALITY IS OUR DEBT OF HONOR"
Stating that she is not a member or sympathizer of any party, but a simple citizen and actress seeking her rights, Sönmez argued that Kılıçdaroğlu's existence is a symbol of everything she wants to be purified from. The most striking part of the letter included the following statements: "I want a country purified from you. Purifying the Republic, the people, and the party from your mentality and actions is our debt of honor. I do not trust the 'Father State'; I trust the Mother Opposition."
"I AM NOT AN OCCUPIER, GOODBYE"
Sönmez concluded her letter with a harsh and clear message: "My belief that those you trust have never been and can never be your comrades has been proven thousands of times by my life experience. I have more to say, but I am not an occupier. Goodbye."