14.05.2026 20:00
The controversy escalated after MHP Deputy Chairman Semih Yalçın used the expressions "political fossil" and "FETÖ courier" for former Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Bülent Arınç. Arınç responded with harsh words in a statement on his social media account, saying "The limit has been exceeded, the patience has worn thin." Additionally, Arınç stated that he would complain to MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli if the insults continued.
Bülent Arınç, one of the founders of the AK Party, responded with striking remarks to MHP Deputy Chairman Semih Yalçın, who harshly criticized his statements about those affected by the decree laws (KHK). Arınç said, "The limit has been exceeded, the patience stone has cracked."
KHK STATEMENT SPARKS DEBATE
Bülent Arınç had made statements about KHK victims during a conference on "Social Peace and Politics" in Ankara. Arınç drew attention with his words, "Those chasing a status for Apo today should first solve this."
Following these remarks, MHP Deputy Chairman Semih Yalçın targeted Arınç with harsh words in a post on his social media account. Yalçın used phrases such as "political fossil" and "he is trying to repay the political gains he obtained during the days he acted as a courier and mediator for FETÖ" for Arınç.
HARSH WORDS FROM MHP'S SEMİH YALÇIN
MHP Deputy Chairman Semih Yalçın, in a statement on his social media account, harshly targeted Bülent Arınç. Yalçın used the following words in his post: "What is the problem of the fossil politician Bülent Arınç? The political fossil Bülent Arınç is doing his best to not be forgotten and to be in the exhibition hall of the politics museum. Former Speaker of the Parliament Arınç is trying to stay on the agenda by gathering poisonous flowers from fields sown with crimes and producing remedy extracts for sick bodies.
At the same time, he is trying to repay the political (!) gains he obtained during the days he acted as a courier and mediator for FETÖ. Arınç is making a wrong address regarding KHK victims. Not only is he hitting a rock with an axe, but he is also shooting himself in the foot. Who knows, maybe he is covering for some moves.
So, who are these KHK victims that Bülent Arınç has taken on as their lawyer? People who were dismissed from public service or worked in closed institutions due to affiliation, contact, or membership with terrorist organizations. No more words are needed!"
ARINÇ'S RESPONSE CAME QUICKLY
Bülent Arınç, responding to Semih Yalçın's statements with a long text on his social media account, used the following words: "In Anatolia, when people name their children, they pray 'may they live up to their name,' hoping the children will have a character matching the meaning of their names. They named you Edip so you would be polite, and Semih so you would be generous and tolerant, but alas! You have not become so...
This person, who thinks about what insult to make to whom every time he picks up a pen, far from the meanings of his name, I have been reading what he has written about me for two years but did not feel the need to respond. There are two reasons for this. First, when you respond to such names, they go wild and resort to even more offensive expressions. Second and more importantly, it was out of respect for MHP Chairman Mr. Devlet Bahçeli. Mr. Bahçeli has often been harsh in his criticisms of me, but he has stated that because I took on the cases of the idealists after the September 12 Coup, all idealists have love and respect for me, and he knows this very well.
However, at this point, the limit has been exceeded, the patience stone has cracked... The words you have poured from your pus-dripping pen towards me over the ideas I expressed in a speech last Saturday do not stick with me. I have been in politics for 40 years, and my only guide has been conscience and morality. I return all the insults you have hurled at me with compound interest. Do you know what they say when I ask 'who is this?'
'Şaribül leyli ven nehar'
You are supposedly a professor in history; you understand what that means... We share a common pain: the pain of losing a child. They say it is the greatest pain in the world, known only to those who experience it. Believe me, my hair would turn gray overnight. I have observed something in people who experience such pain. Their conscience scale becomes sensitive, and the doors of compassion and the heart's eye open wide. But your doors of compassion are bolted, your conscience scale does not weigh, and your heart's eye has gone blind.
In short, what I want to say is this. This person must put an end to these. Otherwise, I will personally complain to Mr. Bahçeli and ask him to stop the insults of this person who holds the title of his deputy. I no longer intend to keep my voice down against these insults."
TENSION CONTINUES IN MHP CAMP
Following Arınç's statements, all eyes turned to new statements expected from the MHP camp. Comments in political circles suggest that the polemic between the two figures could escalate.