23.06.2026 19:00
CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's statement "I am not regretful" for supporting the lifting of Selahattin Demirtaş's immunity has sparked a new debate within the opposition. After Kılıçdaroğlu announced that he would visit Demirtaş in prison, reactions came one after another from the DEM Party front. DEM Party Ağrı Deputy Sırrı Sakık also joined the debate, saying, "With what face will you visit Selahattin Demirtaş?"
CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's statement "I am not regretful" regarding his past support for the lifting of Selahattin Demirtaş's immunity and his subsequent plan to visit Edirne Prison backfired. A harsh response to Kılıçdaroğlu's move came from the DEM Party. Addressing the CHP Chairman from the parliament podium, Ağrı Deputy Sırrı Sakık ignited a new crisis by asking, "With what face will you visit Selahattin Demirtaş?"
Speaking at the Turkish Grand National Assembly General Assembly, Sakık recalled Kılıçdaroğlu's support for the constitutional amendment regarding the lifting of parliamentary immunity in 2016 and directed harsh criticisms.
"YOU SAID IT WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL BUT VOTED YES"
Sakık argued that the CHP leader's attitude years ago paved the way for today's events, using the following statements:
"The year is 2016. Immunities are being lifted. The main opposition leader of this parliament came out and said, 'It is unconstitutional, but I will vote yes.' You displayed this attitude even knowing that a crime against the constitution was being committed."
Sakık, who argued that the lifting of immunities opened the door for lawsuits and arrests against HDP deputies, also criticized Kılıçdaroğlu's current stance.
"REGRET IS A VIRTUE"
Reacting to Kılıçdaroğlu, who stated in a television program he attended recently that he was not regretful for his attitude in 2016, Sakık continued his speech with these words:
"Regret is a virtue, but you don't have it. Ten years pass, you support the process that led to Selahattin Demirtaş being in prison today, and then you want to go and visit him. With what face will you visit Selahattin Demirtaş?"
CLAIM THAT DEMİRTAŞ DID NOT ACCEPT THE MEETING
Claims that Kılıçdaroğlu wanted to meet with Demirtaş at Edirne Prison but this request was not welcomed widely resonated in Ankara circles. While no official statement was made by the parties regarding these claims, Sakık's remarks further escalated the debate.