08.04.2025 12:00
The remarks made by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, referring to President Erdoğan as a "coup supporter," sparked controversy. Reactions came from the AK Party and MHP towards Özel. While there is curiosity about how President Erdoğan will respond, it has been reported that he gave a noteworthy instruction to the Central Executive Board (MYK). Erdoğan stated, "We are the ruling party. It is fitting for us to evaluate the situation with dignity and respond without lowering ourselves to their level."
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Özgür Özel, who was re-elected as the party's chairman at the CHP's 21st Extraordinary Congress, sparked controversy with his remarks directed at President Erdoğan, calling him a "coup leader." Özel stated, "I am addressing Erdoğan, who was elected by the nation, not the President Erdoğan, but the coup leader Erdoğan who attempted a coup. Come out and tell us whether you have received permission from America for the coup you are trying to carry out against the next president, your rival, while looking us in the eye." His words raised tensions in politics.
REACTIONS TO THE COUP REMARKS POURED IN
AK Party figures reacted to Özel's statements. AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik, in a statement published on the social media platform X, said, "Throughout decades of our political history, the CHP has always been the political supporter of coup regimes. The democratic political dictionary states 'Coup equals CHP'."
AK Party Deputy Chairman Hayati Yazıcı also stated, "This insolence towards the President and the elected government is a manifestation of a 'problematic' mentality that disregards democracy and the will of the nation," and called on Özel to apologize to the nation and President Erdoğan.
MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli also made a written statement on Monday, April 7, reacting to CHP leader Özel's remarks, saying, "To say coup is to say CHP; everyone knows this."
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also reacted, starting his statement with, "Know your limits!" Fidan said, "Our President has served Turkey for years with the support he received from our nation and has fought against all forms of tutelage."
ERDOĞAN'S INSTRUCTION: WE MUST NOT LOWER OURSELVES TO THEIR LEVEL
After Özel's remarks, there was curiosity about how President Erdoğan would respond. CNN TÜRK Reporter Arda Erdoğan conveyed the instructions given by President Erdoğan during the AK Party Central Executive Committee (MYK) meeting he chaired.
CNN TÜRK Reporter Arda Erdoğan shared the following information from President Erdoğan's speech:
Özgür Özel's coup remarks were also on the agenda at the AK Party MYK. Erdoğan made evaluations regarding Özgür Özel's statements, saying, "We are the ruling party. It is fitting to evaluate the situation with dignity and respond without lowering ourselves to their level."
There were several points that Erdoğan emphasized. He announced that it was positive that the DEM members did not go out on the streets. He pointed to the protests in Saraçhane. He also noted that it was valuable not to support the protests.
Regarding the topic of a Turkey without terrorism, he also had some instructions for AK Party officials. He warned his officials about careful language. President Erdoğan repeated the warning he makes at every MYK meeting.
After Özgür Özel's use of the term coup, efforts are also underway within the AK Party to provide a legal response.
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