29.05.2026 18:20
A move that stirred the corridors came from former group deputy chairman Engin Altay, known for his closeness to Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu in the CHP and his opposition to Özgür Özel. Admitting that the internal party reaction against Kılıçdaroğlu was much greater than anticipated, Altay described the crisis as a "funeral." Altay made a call for reconciliation, saying, "Despite everything, there is a funeral in the middle. This funeral should and must be lifted by Mr. Özel and Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu coming together."
Engin Altay, one of the heavyweights of the party known for his closeness to CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who returned to duty by court decision, and notable for his oppositional stance to current Chairman Özgür Özel, made statements that will shake the backstage. Admitting that the unrest within the party and the reactions towards Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu are much greater than expected, Altay pointed to the joint will of the current and former administrations as the address for resolving the crisis. Altay called for unity in the party, saying, 'There is a funeral in the middle. This funeral should be lifted together by Mr. Özel and Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu.'
'THE REACTION TOWARDS MR. KEMAL IS MUCH GREATER THAN ANTICIPATED'
While the repercussions of the absolute nullity decision continue, CHP Istanbul Deputy and former Group Deputy Chairman Engin Altay made a highly discussed self-criticism. Altay, one of the closest deputies to Kılıçdaroğlu, emphasized that the scale of the reaction forming towards Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu at the grassroots and within the party is far beyond what was estimated. Stating that this reaction strains the party's internal dynamics, Altay noted that the current situation has reached an undeniable level.
'THERE IS A FUNERAL, THEY SHOULD LIFT IT TOGETHER'
Despite his oppositional line to Özgür Özel, Engin Altay called for compromise for the party's future, describing the current situation within CHP with the metaphor of a 'funeral'. Expressing that the problem cannot be solved unilaterally, Altay placed a historic responsibility on both leaders, saying, 'Despite everything, there is a funeral in the middle. This funeral can and should be lifted by Mr. Özel and Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu coming together.'
THIS CALL FROM THE OPPOSITION WING SHAKES THE BACKSTAGE
This move by Engin Altay, a figure close to Kılıçdaroğlu and distant to the Özel administration, resonated widely at CHP headquarters. Political analysts evaluate Altay's words as a 'common sense' step taken to prevent a party split and a potential leadership crisis. All eyes are now on the moves to come from Özgür Özel and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's camp following this striking call.