30.05.2026 14:20
Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavas, who took the stage in Guvenpark upon Ozgur Ozel's invitation for Eid greetings, struggled to speak due to "Traitor Kemal" chants from the crowd. Yavas, whose remarks were eagerly anticipated, targeted Kilicdaroglu without naming him in his speech.
The Republican People's Party (CHP), almost split in two after the Ankara Regional Court of Appeal's decision of "absolute nullity," witnessed a rare political crisis on the eve of Eid al-Adha. The capital Ankara hosted two different CHP leaders' Eid greetings at the same day and time. While Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who returned to his seat following the legal decision, put on a show of force at CHP Headquarters, Özgür Özel gathered with his supporters in Güvenpark.
"TRAITOR KEMAL" CHANTS ROSE IN THE FIELD
Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş, who attended the alternative Eid greeting program hosted by Özgür Özel in Güvenpark and took the stage, had difficulty starting his speech as party members in the field chanted "Traitor Kemal" in unison.
Highlights from Yavaş's speech are as follows:
"After we took office in 2019, we showed how to govern without corruption through our activities. After the local elections, we received 38 percent for the first time... In Ankara, with your support, we received 60 percent, seeing that our work was approved.
Hope emerged among students and workers. For the first time, hope for power emerged. I wanted everyone who believes in democracy to come together and stand as a fist.
We wanted to change the government and transition to a parliamentary system. For the first time, a ruling party tried to divide the party. People's hope for change is far ahead of my personal sense of loyalty. I said I would leave politics rather than be in a situation that would consume people's hope.
We need to nurture people's hope. We defended the unity and solidarity of the party founded by Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. CHP is not an ordinary party. Any attempt to weaken or wear down CHP targets the Republic. This country was not built easily.
I call not only CHP members but everyone who believes in the nation's will. If we do not act together, we will lose not only today but also tomorrow.
My stance from the very beginning has been on the side of democracy. CHP should hold a congress as soon as possible. Come, let's disrupt the game. Let's continue the march to power of millions of opposition supporters."