30.05.2026 23:31
As the leadership crisis deepens in the CHP following the court's 'absolute nullity' decision, PM Member Bülent Kuşoğlu, one of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's closest aides, made striking statements regarding the party's agenda. Stating that they will nominate the most ambitious candidate in the upcoming elections, Kuşoğlu said that Mansur Yavaş could also be a presidential candidate if conditions are suitable. Kuşoğlu also indicated that he does not consider Kılıçdaroğlu's candidacy likely.
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who returned to the position of CHP Chairmanship with the court's 'absolute nullity' decision, came to the CHP Headquarters again after 2.5 years. Kılıçdaroğlu addressed the party members waiting for him here. Özgür Özel, simultaneously, spoke to party members gathered in front of the Ankara Provincial Directorate at Güvenpark and then walked to Anıtkabir.
Following the leadership crisis in CHP and the two Eid greetings programs, former CHP Deputy Chairman Bülent Kuşoğlu, one of Kılıçdaroğlu's closest aides, made striking assessments regarding the party agenda.
"I DON'T KNOW WHO HE MEANT BY 'FETÖ AGENT'"
Speaking on tv100 broadcast, Kuşoğlu stated that the current situation in CHP should not occur in such a period, saying, "This should not happen on such a day. This division in CHP is not ideological, thought-based, or voter-based. We are divided emotionally. This needs to be resolved."
Regarding the 'FETÖ agent' statements in Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's speech today at the Headquarters, where he was temporarily appointed as CHP Chairman by the appellate court decision, Kuşoğlu noted that the speech was harsh. Kuşoğlu said, "Today's speech was very harsh, as Kılıçdaroğlu himself said. I don't know who he meant by 'FETÖ agent' in his speech."
"WE CAN OVERCOME THIS DIVISION"
Noting that the process CHP is going through is a division arising from personal reasons, Kuşoğlu said, "This is a division solely due to personal reasons, and we can overcome it. Because no action was taken even though this issue was visibly coming to the agenda and no timely intervention was made, we are now faced with the absolute nullity issue."
"AS A FOUNDING PARTY, WE SHOULD GUIDE THE STATE, BUT WHAT ARE WE DOING?"
Stating that the debates within CHP need to be discussed, Kuşoğlu reminded that the complainants are also CHP members.
Kuşoğlu said, "The complainants are CHP members. Whether you call the decision unlawful or lawful, we need to sit down and talk. Why are we divided? The world is restructuring; this is not a matter of today. Germany, England, France, the USA... The Middle East is already burning. While the whole world takes Atatürk's Republic as an example, what are we doing? While CHP is the founding party and should give direction to the state, what are we doing?"
"THE PARLIAMENTARY RULES OF PROCEDURE WILL COME INTO PLAY"
Answering the question about who will speak at the party's group meeting in Parliament on Tuesday, Kuşoğlu stated that a decision should be made after the party bodies are formed. Kuşoğlu assessed, "Hopefully, there will be no problem. If we talk about party discipline, the speech should be made in line with the opinion of the esteemed chairman, following the decision to be made after the party bodies are formed. On this matter, I think the Parliamentary Rules of Procedure will come into play, and the issue will be resolved to avoid duality."
"WHEN THE CONGRESS WILL BE HELD CAN ALSO BE RESOLVED THROUGH DIALOGUE AND LAW"
Speaking about the congress process, Kuşoğlu said, "When the congress will be held can also be resolved through dialogue and law. The situation where the two names could not reach each other was not intentional. They later spoke anyway."
Stating that the process regarding Party Council memberships also needs to be completed, Kuşoğlu said, "Some Party Council members lost their membership. They need to be completed from the substitutes. So, the completion of the process is expected after the holiday ends. The congress will be held at whatever time is legally appropriate."
"MANSUR YAVAŞ CAN ALSO BE A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE"
Answering the question about whether there is a problem between Mansur Yavaş and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Kuşoğlu said he knows there is no problem between them.
Kuşoğlu said, "Politics is like this. When the party unites and the division is resolved, I don't think Mansur Bey being on the other side will be a problem. I also know that there is no problem between them. However, the tension created within the party by the recent absolute nullity lawsuit is also reflected in politics."
Also evaluating the presidential candidacy, Kuşoğlu said, "We will nominate the most competitive person for the presidential candidacy, of course. If conditions are suitable, that person could also be Mansur Bey."
"KEMAL BEY WON'T SHIRK DUTY, BUT I DON'T THINK HE WILL BE A CANDIDATE AGAIN"
Regarding whether Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu will be a candidate again, Kuşoğlu said that Kılıçdaroğlu will not shirk duty, but he does not think he will be a candidate again. Kuşoğlu said, "In his speech today, he said he is 78 years old and that he is here to fulfill his duties regarding his party. If conditions require, such a situation might be possible, but as CHP, we will determine and nominate the most suitable candidate. Kemal Bey won't shirk duty, but I don't think he will be a candidate again."
"WE CANNOT SAY KILIÇDAROĞLU HAD NO CONTRIBUTION TO THE SUCCESS IN THE LAST ELECTIONS"
Also commenting on Özgür Özel's statement "We became the first party after years," Kuşoğlu stated that Kılıçdaroğlu also contributed to the success achieved in the last elections. Kuşoğlu said, "Can we say Kılıçdaroğlu had no contribution to the political success in the last elections? We cannot. We also achieved significant success in the 2019 elections. In the 2024 elections, Sayın Kılıçdaroğlu said in a rally that over 400 municipalities would be won, and indeed that happened."
"WE HAVEN'T TAKEN OVER THE CASH REGISTER IN CHP YET"
Regarding the party's financial operations, Kuşoğlu said, "We haven't taken over the cash register in CHP. A signature circular from the notary must be obtained for us to make payments. For that, the Central Executive Committee (MYK) needs to be determined, and the cadres need to be formed. That will be after the holiday. We couldn't even invite any party members to today's Eid greetings at the headquarters. Thankfully, they came entirely at their own expense."
"OUR DIVISION IS NOT RIGHT; WE MUST COME TOGETHER"
When asked about allegations that Kılıçdaroğlu prepared an expulsion list, Kuşoğlu stated that CHP is an institutional party and said decisions will be made by authorized bodies.
Also touching on 'new party' allegations, Kuşoğlu said, "It's too early to talk about these. Hopefully, they won't attempt such a move. While about 30 CHP mayors have already switched to the AK Party, and given the state of Turkey and the world, our division is not right. We must come together."