01.06.2026 17:20
While debates continue over who will lead the group meeting in CHP, Turkish Grand National Assembly Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş made a statement. Kurtulmuş, noting that letters came from both Kılıçdaroğlu and Özel, said, "The Assembly Presidency is not a party to any intra-party or intra-group conflict. It will be done if deputies request it. However, there is a contradiction between the two sides, and a letter will naturally be sent to resolve this contradiction."
A crisis erupted in Turkey's main opposition CHP over the "group chairmanship" between Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who returned to the party leadership following a court's absolute void decision, and Özgür Özel. Özel was elected as the party's group chairman in the parliamentary election immediately after the absolute void ruling, while Kılıçdaroğlu stated in a letter sent to deputies that no group meeting could be held without his permission.
STATEMENT FROM KURTULMUŞ ON CHP
While debates continue over who will conduct the parliamentary group meeting in the CHP, a statement came from Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş. Kurtulmuş noted that letters were sent to the Parliament Presidency by both Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and Özgür Özel, stating that the contradiction between the two sides persists. Emphasizing that the Parliament Presidency is not a party to intra-party or intra-group disputes, Kurtulmuş expressed that a meeting could be held if deputies demand it, but this confusion must first be resolved.
"THE PARLIAMENT PRESIDENCY IS NOT A PARTY TO INTRA-PARTY DISPUTES"
Kurtulmuş said: "The Parliament Presidency acts only based on information received from groups regarding the management of all groups. This has been the case since the establishment of the Parliament. The Parliament Presidency is not a party to any intra-party or intra-group dispute; it is not its duty or responsibility. We meticulously adhere to the principle of impartiality in this regard."
"WE REGISTERED KILIÇDAROĞLU AS CHP CHAIRMAN IN PARLIAMENTARY RECORDS"
As soon as the letter regarding the absolute void decision from Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu reached us, we took the necessary action and registered Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu as the Chairman of the Republican People's Party in the parliamentary records.
"WE ALSO ACCEPTED THE LETTER REGARDING ÖZGÜR ÖZEL'S GROUP CHAIRMANSHIP"
Immediately after, following a group meeting conducted in accordance with the internal regulations of the CHP Group, we also accepted the letter regarding Özgür Özel's Group Chairmanship. Accordingly, we removed the Chairman's sign from Mr. Özel's door and placed the Group Chairman sign. As the Parliament Presidency, we must act within the framework of the letters submitted to us."
"THE PLACE TO RESOLVE THE CONTRADICTION IS NOT THE PARLIAMENT PRESIDENCY"
"If there is a contradiction in these letters, as it appears, the place to resolve this contradiction is not the Turkish Grand National Assembly Presidency. The Turkish Grand National Assembly cannot act as a court. The Republican People's Party should resolve this matter within its own internal dynamics and institutional structure and eliminate the issue. We will send a letter to the CHP Chairmanship requesting the resolution of this contradiction. In subsequent debates and contradictions, the Parliament Presidency has no authority to take ex officio action, nor is it its duty."
"We will send that letter to the Republican People's Party Chairmanship as soon as possible. There are letters from both sides regarding the clarification of this situation. The letter from the Group Chairmanship has also been processed. However, the contradiction between the two sides continues, and a letter regarding the resolution of this contradiction will certainly be sent."
"A LETTER WAS SENT TO THE CHP CHAIRMAN TO RESOLVE THE CONTRADICTION"
"There are six groups in Parliament; we have not had and will not have any involvement in how any political party's parliamentary group operates or makes decisions. Therefore, how a parliamentary group will convene is determined within the framework of each party's own internal group regulations. This is not a matter for the Parliament Presidency to say, 'No, it's not like that; do it this way.' I hope this issue is resolved as soon as possible.
If the group meeting is conducted in accordance with the procedure, then of course the Turkish Grand National Assembly TV will broadcast each group. I mentioned the two letters I received. There is a contradiction between them. A letter was sent to the Chairman of the Republican People's Party regarding the resolution of this contradiction."