27.05.2026 06:40
MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli made assessments regarding the absolute nullity crisis in CHP. Calling for common sense in CHP, Bahçeli said, "It is time for purification, calmness, and saying new things in the party. The hate speech poisoning the political atmosphere in CHP must be abandoned. Individuals involved in corruption and immorality should be purged. There should be no street actions, and the party should unite and come together. According to us, the congress date could be September 9, the founding date of the party."
MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli made striking statements following the "absolute nullity" decision against the CHP and the eviction of its headquarters.
Bahçeli called both Özgür Özel and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu by phone. After the meetings, Bahçeli's comprehensive evaluations were published in Türkgün, the MHP's publication.
In a previous statement, Bahçeli had called on Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, saying, "He should state that he has waived his rights to create a joint formula regarding the CHP's future by meeting with Mr. Özgür Özel."
In his new statements, Bahçeli clearly expressed that he recognizes Kılıçdaroğlu as the CHP Chairman, stating, "Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu is the CHP Chairman. In the following process, Mr. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu will naturally fulfill the requirements of being the chairman as per the court decision."
"HE WILL SETTLE INTO THE HEADQUARTERS AND RESOLVE THE DISARRAY"
Bahçeli stated that Kılıçdaroğlu should reorganize the party administration, using the following words: "In this context, he will first settle into the Headquarters, carry out repairs and consolidation, and eliminate the disarray. At the same time, party activities will continue. In this way, it will become possible to rebuild a political party, not cause its collapse, and reintegrate it into democracy."
Arguing that the CHP has strayed from its founding principles, Bahçeli recalled Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's statement: "The CHP must protect its moral values." Bahçeli evaluated, "This determination is also an admission that the CHP has strayed from its founding principles."
"THE FINANCIAL AND LEGAL STRUCTURE OF THE PARTY MUST BE AUDITED"
Bahçeli stated that the CHP must be audited financially, legally, and administratively, and the reasons that have distanced the party from its founding codes must be identified.
The MHP leader also proposed renewing the current membership and proceeding to a congress with the renewed membership structure. He pointed to September 9, the founding date of the CHP, as the date for the convention.
Bahçeli said, "It is Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu who will fulfill these. Thus, a cleaned and purified CHP will be established until the great congress, and Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu will have served the Republican People's Party greatly, fulfilling a historic responsibility."
Emphasizing that whoever wins the congress should respect the result, Bahçeli stated that this would also be a sign of political sacrifice.
"STREET PROTESTS WOULD CREATE A WOUNDED MEMORY IN TURKISH DEMOCRACY"
Also sending a message to the Özgür Özel administration, Bahçeli said the process in the CHP should not turn into internal party conflict and street protests.
Bahçeli used the following words in his statement: "In the Republican People's Party, which has a deep-rooted party institutionalism in Turkey, we are concerned that the absolute nullity crisis turning into internal party conflict and street protests would create a wounded memory not only in the CHP but also in Turkish democracy and political culture."
Stating that they do not want a split while the possibility of a new party is being discussed within the CHP, Bahçeli said, "Our expectation is not a divided CHP, but a CHP that is united, unburdened, and serves Turkey and the Turkish nation." Bahçeli also stated that wearing down the party's institutional identity, polarizing the base, and damaging the organizational structure for the sake of temporary power struggles would impose a heavy responsibility before history.
"WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH SUCH DIRTY TRICKS"
Responding to the question, "Why are you making an effort to ensure the institutional identity of the CHP, an opposition party, is not damaged?" Bahçeli stated that the MHP has gone through similar processes in the past.
Bahçeli said, "The MHP has high experience in these matters. In the past, it has been witnessed that our party was attempted to be taken over during congress processes at various times. We are closely familiar with such sedition and dirty tricks; we sense them in advance and know better than anyone how to eliminate them."
Arguing that the developments in the CHP are not solely an internal party matter, Bahçeli said the process is also important for political stability in Turkey.