01.06.2026 14:11
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who returned to the CHP chairmanship with a nullity decision, had his press advisor Atakan Sönmez announce that the layoffs at the party headquarters would be re-examined. Sönmez stated that situations such as insults, threats, or unexcused absences could be grounds for termination, and if not convinced of justified dismissal, the dismissed employees could return to their duties. He also argued that the layoffs were not a liquidation operation.
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who has returned to the CHP chairmanship with a nullity decision, saw his press advisor Atakan Sönmez make striking statements regarding the layoffs at the party headquarters. Sönmez stated that the dismissals would be reviewed and said that employees could return to their duties if the justified termination reasons are found insufficient.
"TERMINATION MAY OCCUR IN TWO CASES"
Sönmez, who provided evaluations regarding the layoffs, stated that there are two main justifications for terminating employees. He indicated that the first of these is behaviors against institutional discipline, such as swearing, insults, and threats directed at party administrators, and the second justification is absenteeism without an excuse or a medical report.
Sönmez said, "If during this process, there is a finding that they did not go to work without an excuse or report and were seen as staff on paper, then a termination may also be possible."
"WE HAVE NOT BEEN AT HEADQUARTERS FOR 2 YEARS"
Stating that these determinations cannot be made externally, Sönmez said that the entry and exit records of the personnel and the statements of the employees should be taken into account.
Sönmez, "We have not been at the headquarters for over 2 years. This is not a determination we can make," said Sönmez, adding that if an employee fails to come to work on 285 out of 300 working days in a year, they cannot be considered as an active employee.
"IF WE ARE NOT CONVINCED OF JUSTIFIED TERMINATION, WE WILL RETURN"
Emphasizing that the layoffs will be reviewed, Sönmez stated that he would examine the files regarding the employees in his own unit one by one.
Sönmez, who said that he would meet with laid-off employees if necessary, used the phrase, "If there is something we are not convinced about justified termination, we will return and continue the contracts of our colleagues."
"CHP'S VIEW CANNOT BE TO TERMINATE EMPLOYEES"
Sönmez stated that the CHP does not have an approach advocating for the termination of employees, and said that the decisions were made within the scope of administrative actions at the headquarters.
Stating that the layoffs are not a covert operation or an attempt at liquidation, Sönmez said, "Since this is not a covert purge or an operation, there is nothing here that should upset us."
Sönmez also added that no new assignment has been made in his unit.