28.06.2026 00:00
Political party leaders speaking at the 78th Grand Congress of the Turkish Medical Association made assessments ranging from the health system to discussions on democracy and peace. At the congress, a debate over the "October 10 Ankara attack" occurred between Future Party leader Ahmet Davutoğlu and EMEP leader Seyit Aslan.
The 78th Grand Congress of the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) began yesterday at Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Abdülkadir Noyan Conference Hall. Political party leaders speaking at the congress made assessments ranging from the healthcare system to democracy and peace discussions.
TENSION BETWEEN DAVUTOĞLU AND EMEP CHAIRMAN ASLAN
EMEP Party Chairman Seyit Aslan, in part of his speech, listed his criticisms directed at Davutoğlu, who was present in the hall. In one section of his speech, Aslan said: "Just now, the former Prime Minister spoke, who also served as Foreign Minister. We experienced the October 10 station massacre in this country, we experienced Suruç, we experienced Diyarbakır. Massacres occurred in Antep. Despite this, he went on television and declared, 'Our votes are rising.' This is not acceptable. We cannot accept this. This is not acceptable, we cannot accept this."
Davutoğlu, reacting to Aslan's speech by standing up from his seat, said: "You are insulting me. You are lying. I did not come here to be insulted."
DAVUTOĞLU: I APOLOGIZED TO ALL OF THEM ON BEHALF OF MY STATE AND ASKED WHAT WE COULD DO
Later, taking the podium, Davutoğlu stated: "The October 10 station disaster is one of the greatest massacres in the history of the Republic of Turkey. Those who were with me that day know that as soon as I heard about it, despite all security warnings, I went to the station. Afterwards, I held an extraordinary meeting, gave instructions to everyone, and said I wanted to visit all the injured citizens. Many ministers said, 'Sir, there is serious anger directed at you; it might be better if you don't go.' I said, 'If I, as the Prime Minister of this country, do not risk the anger directed at me, do not understand that anger, and do not empathize with that pain, I would not be fulfilling my duty.' Those who were injured in hospitals that day know I visited all of them. I apologized to all of them on behalf of my state and asked what we could do. I did not allow any judicial or administrative negligence. I followed all processes and investigations completely."
"INSULTS AND LIES ARE BEING PRODUCED"
As for this statement: Seyit Bey, you are a worker. Politics is also a labor of work. Please respect the labor of another political worker. Look at that speech, which is repeated as an insult to me. In one part of the interview, the station attack occurs, and I describe it. In a much later part, I am asked about poll results as we head into the election. I say we are doing well in the polls, as a political party chairman. Later, these words are mixed up, and an insult and lie are produced. Can you think that I could be insensitive to those who lost their lives, even if they were my enemies, let alone people of different ideologies? Moreover, they are my citizens, my flesh and blood. Can you really think I could be insensitive to that?"