22.04.2026 22:09
TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş received CHP Chairman Özgür Özel. After the meeting, Özel made statements and closed the door to debates by responding to the question of 'sine-i millet' (the bosom of the nation) with: 'For years, I have always said this; if the nation has given you a flag, you will not let go of that flag. That flag will not be abandoned. We are at the beginning of our duty in the party, we are at the beginning of our duty in the Parliament, we are at the beginning of our duty in the municipalities. We are evaluating every other formula with all its options.'
Turkish Grand National Assembly Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş received CHP (Republican People's Party) Chairman Özgür Özel.
According to a post shared from the Turkish Grand National Assembly's social media account, it was reported that Assembly Speaker Kurtulmuş received CHP Chairman Özel. After the meeting, Özel made statements to the press. Responding to the question "Will a radical decision come out of the municipal mayors and Party Assembly meetings, is the heart of the nation being discussed?" Özel said:
"THAT FLAG WILL NOT BE DROPPED"
"I have a fundamental rule in politics. I also said this to my friends who said 'let's boycott' on the day the Istanbul election was annulled. For years, I have always said this; if the nation has placed a flag in your hand, you will not drop that flag. This has been the case since Ulubatlı Hasan. You cannot use difficulty, attack, the arrow, dagger, bullet that hits the body, or the tripping from friend or foe as a reason to drop the flag. That flag will not be dropped. We are at the beginning of our duty in the party, we are at the beginning of our duty in the Assembly, we are at the beginning of our duty in the municipalities. We are evaluating every other formula with all its options.
ÖZEL: LET'S RETURN TO THE HEART OF THE NATION
However, 'let's return to the heart of the nation.' Let's return, today those who avoid by-elections will rush to the by-elections with drums and zurnas. They will elect 130 AK Party members to the 130 places we vacated. After entering the heart of the nation, we are in no condition to enter a by-election, and then they change the Constitution and bring disaster to the country. We are walking on a sensitive line, that's why we will not drop the flag the nation has thrust into our hands."
"LET'S GO TO BY-ELECTIONS"
Özel said, "Starting from my electoral district Manisa, by placing ballot boxes in Manisa, let's go to by-elections in the widest geography of Turkey. If you are not avoiding by-elections, open your hands, let's do it in the widest geography. We are ready this June for the by-election for 8 deputies, for the one with 30 deputies, and for the expanded one."