03.10.2025 22:54
In a live broadcast on Haberler.com regarding his meeting with Erdoğan at the reception in the Parliament, DEVA Party leader Babacan stated, "I shook hands with Erdoğan and said, 'How are you?' Other than that, there was no dialogue." It was reported that CHP leader Özel called Babacan and said, "I didn't find your photo with Erdoğan surprising. The picture is quite natural."
The reception held for the new legislative year of the Parliament brought together the state's top officials. President Erdoğan's surprise meeting with political party leaders made a significant impact on the reception.
DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan and Future Party Chairman Ahmet Davutoğlu were among those who met with President Erdoğan. The photo of Babacan with Erdoğan resonated widely in the public.
BABACAN SPOKE ABOUT THAT PHOTO ON HABERLER.COM Speaking about that photo on Haberler.com's live broadcast, Ali Babacan stated that it was not a meeting, that he just shook hands with President Erdoğan and asked how he was, and that there was no other conversation. While Babacan's statements echoed in Ankara's agenda, a notable move came from CHP Chairman Özgür Özel.
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ÖZEL CALLED BABACAN It was learned that Özel, who called Babacan, expressed that he was also disturbed by the unjust criticisms regarding that photo. Journalist Hilal Köylü shared the following about the issue: "Özgür Özel called Babacan. He said the photo with Erdoğan was natural: I do not approve of the lynching on social media. I didn't find your photo with Erdoğan surprising. The photo is quite natural. I know how such spontaneous visits develop in the Parliament. I also worked in the Parliament."
BABACAN: THERE'S NOTHING ELSE BUT THAT PHOTO In a live broadcast from the Haberler.com studio, DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan answered questions from News Director Olgun Kızıltepe and host Melis Yaşar regarding the issue: "Actually, there is no meeting. There is nothing else but that photo. But let me briefly explain the process. On October 1st, an opening reception is held every year in the evening. Therefore, as a political party representing in the Parliament, we attended the opening reception with our deputies. After the opening reception, in a small hall next to the large hall, Mr. Erdoğan, Mr. Kurtulmuş, and people from the ruling side; Mr. Bahçeli, former Speakers of the Parliament gathered. We had no knowledge of that, we were in the reception area. In fact, if you notice, there is initially a photo where only the ruling side is present. That is, no one from the opposition is there. Then we received an invitation. They said, 'Our Speaker of the Parliament is waiting for you.' That invitation was sent to all the party leaders present at the reception," he stated.
"WE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE INVITATION" In response to the question, "Were you expecting such a thing or was it a surprise for you?" Babacan replied:
"From time to time, such things have happened. For example, at the April 23 reception... If you remember, it was right after the March 31 elections. That is, March 31, 2024, is a date when the CHP achieved success in the local elections. At the first April 23 reception after those elections, Özgür Özel was invited. The President was sitting in that golden gilded chair that resembles a throne. They wanted Mr. Özel to sit somewhere on the side, where the Speaker of the Parliament was sitting. Therefore, such things had happened before. For example, at that time, they did not invite us. But why they did not invite us, why they invited Özgür Özel, I do not know. In fact, at that time, some had made criticisms about Özgür Bey's photos. 'You won the election, but why are you sitting in such an insignificant place in front of the President?' Therefore, we had no knowledge of whether that invitation would come to us or not.
"KURTULMUŞ THANKED ALL OF US" I was the last to enter. Then I saw that they were changing the seating arrangement in a hurry. Then they showed a chair, and we sat there. We greeted those present, of course. Mr. Kurtulmuş stood up and thanked all the party leaders for the ongoing commission works in the Parliament. Because we, as the DEVA Party, also participate in the commission works in the Parliament from the very first day, providing support. Kurtulmuş made a 2-3 minute speech. I interpreted this invitation as thanking us for the ongoing commission works in the Parliament. After that, one or two more people spoke. And then we left from there. We only sat there for about 15 minutes.
"I SHOOK HANDS AND SAID 'HOW ARE YOU'" Stating that there was no dialogue between him and President Erdoğan, Ali Babacan said, "I shook hands with Mr. Erdoğan and those sitting there, and I said 'How are you?' That's all. Other than that, there was no dialogue with anyone else. The agenda was completely about the commission's works. It was nothing else," he said.