23.06.2026 07:40
Former Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Bülent Arınç responded to Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who criticized him for his meetings with CHP leader Özgür Özel. In reply to Kılıçdaroğlu's remarks, "What did a party leader discuss for two hours with an AK Party figure?" Arınç argued that not a single word about CHP's internal affairs was spoken during the meetings. Stating that he finds the evaluations about him unjust, Arınç said Kılıçdaroğlu owes him an apology.
Former Turkish Parliament Speaker Bülent Arınç responded to Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who criticized him over his meetings with CHP leader Özgür Özel. Arınç stated that he did not utter a single word about CHP's internal affairs, claimed that Kılıçdaroğlu made unfair assessments, and expressed that he expects an apology.
ARINÇ'S HARSH RESPONSE TO KILIÇDAROĞLU
Former Turkish Parliament Speaker Bülent Arınç reacted to Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who targeted him over his meetings with CHP leader Özgür Özel. Speaking to Barış Terkoğlu on TV, Arınç argued that Kılıçdaroğlu's assessments about him did not reflect the truth. Arınç said he expects an apology from Kılıçdaroğlu for the statements made about him.
"MY MEETINGS WITH ÖZGÜR ÖZEL HAVE NO CONNECTION TO CHP'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS"
Stating that he met with Özgür Özel twice, Arınç expressed that these contacts had no relevance to CHP's internal politics. Arınç said the first meeting was intended to offer condolences for two mayors who passed away in Manisa, while the second meeting took place as part of an invitation to the iftar and mevlit program he organizes every Ramadan in Manisa.
Arınç noted that Özgür Özel later paid a return visit to his office in Parliament, and during this meeting, only the agendas of Manisa and Turkey were discussed.
"NOT A SINGLE WORD WAS SPOKEN ABOUT CHP'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS"
Denying allegations that he interfered in CHP's internal processes, Arınç emphasized that these topics were never brought up in his meetings with Özgür Özel. Arınç said, "I swear, not a single word was spoken about CHP's internal affairs. I never touched on these issues, and Mr. Özgür, showing great political courtesy, never raised the subject. In fact, during that meeting, I said extremely positive and constructive things about Mr. Kemal. I am not involved in any political debates."
"KILIÇDAROĞLU OWES ME AN APOLOGY"
Expressing surprise at Kılıçdaroğlu's remarks about him, Arınç argued that the former CHP leader acted with an unjust opinion. Arınç stated, "I was very surprised by Kemal Bey's words. If I meet with him, I will tell him too. Let me also say through you; I believe he owes me an apology for harboring ill intentions about me."
WHAT HAD KILIÇDAROĞLU SAID?
In a statement on Sözcü TV, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu had criticized Özgür Özel's meeting with Bülent Arınç. Kılıçdaroğlu said, "I have criticized Erdoğan at every opportunity. When Mr. Özgür said we would negotiate, I tweeted. It is not negotiation, it is struggle. What does a party leader discuss for two hours with someone from the AK Party who previously served as Parliament Speaker? After coming out, he said, 'We discussed the party's problems.' How can the CHP leader discuss the party's problems with a key figure of the AK Party? Why don't you, as journalists, ask this?"