01.07.2026 18:50
In the Turkish Grand National Assembly General Assembly, heated debates erupted between AK Party and CHP deputies following CHP Group Chair Özgür Özel's statements about comedian Deniz Göktaş. While AK Party deputies described the performance as "disrespect to sacred values," CHP's Gökhan Günaydın emphasized freedom of expression. Due to the tension, the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly adjourned the session twice.
In the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) General Assembly, a debate occurred between AK Party and CHP deputies following CHP Group Chair Özgür Özel's statement regarding the show of comedian Deniz Göktaş, against whom an investigation was launched.
DENIZ GOKTAS TENSION IN TBMM
The TBMM General Assembly convened under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker Tekin Bingöl to discuss the 'Draft Law on Amending the Law on Specialist Non-Commissioned Officers and Certain Laws,' which includes regulations concerning specialist soldiers and non-commissioned officers. During the session, after off-agenda speeches, while the one-minute speaking portion allocated to deputies was ongoing, AK Party Kütahya Deputy Mehmet Demir took the floor. Demir reacted to Özgür Özel's statements about comedian Deniz Göktaş's show, saying, "We recently witnessed with regret that CHP Manisa Deputy Özgür Özel fervently defended a so-called stand-up show that openly ridicules the sacred values of our noble nation and our holy book, the Quran, from the group podium. Humor, art, or freedom of expression does not grant anyone the right to insult the beliefs and sanctities of billions of people. Attempting to normalize this reckless disrespect toward our religious values under the guise of humor is a grave folly against social peace and freedom of belief."
CHP'S GUNAYDIN: NO ONE DISRESPECTS THE NATION'S SANCTITIES
CHP Deputy Group Chair Gökhan Günaydın responded to AK Party's Mehmet Demir, stating, "I listened to the speaker. The person he referred to as 'CHP Manisa Deputy' is Özgür Özel, the CHP's Group Chair and elected General Chairman—you should first understand that. Secondly, he was never referred to as 'Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, AKP Istanbul Deputy' in his time; it would be beneficial for you to learn to be a bit respectful. Thirdly, no one is showing the slightest disrespect to this nation's sanctities. If you haven't learned concepts within political science at this age, I cannot teach you at this point. Everyone is respectful of the nation's heritage and all sacred values, and within this framework, there is a reference to the freedom to express one's opinion and not be condemned for it, as expressed in Article 25 of the Constitution. If you don't understand, don't come here and make strange remarks."
AK PARTY'S AKBASOGLU: TAKING THE STAGE WITH CLOWNERY IS NOT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF FREEDOM OF THOUGHT
Taking the floor later, AK Party Deputy Group Chair Muhammet Emin Akbaşoğlu stated that there was no error in the AK Party deputy's words, saying, "We wish to state that there is no deficiency or problem in what our deputy said, nor is there any issue in referring to him as 'Manisa Deputy.' As you know, there is a legal decision, a decision of absolute nullity, and its consequences. Also, regarding stand-up, one must distinguish between a joke and insult or defamation. We want to state that no one can ridicule this nation's beliefs, customs, and all its sanctities through insult or defamation. These reminders are perfectly legitimate and appropriate for politicians who need to conduct politics with respect for the nation's values. We call on everyone to be sensitive and respectful of our nation's faith, and we emphasize that taking the stage with clownery is not within the scope of freedom of thought, and insult and degradation are never acceptable; in this regard, jokes and humor have their place."
CHP'S GUNAYDIN: THE LAST PARTY TO GIVE LESSONS IS THE AKP
Speaking amid mutual jabs between deputies, CHP's Günaydın said, "The party least qualified to give lessons to people about respecting the nation's values is the AKP. Because for years, you divided politics and polarized people by exploiting these very values. This country has suffered greatly because of this, and you are still at the same point. There is nothing left for you to exploit because the people have understood you. In this context, we state here that there is no point in having a debate with someone who calls stand-up 'clownery' regarding freedom of expression. As for what you said about the 'court decision': whether you like it or not, Özgür Özel is legally the CHP's group chair and the leader in the people's hearts. If you want to know your place in the people's hearts, just go out on the street."
AK PARTY'S AKBASOGLU: WE HAVE NEVER PURSUED A POLICY OF POLARIZING OUR PEOPLE
As the debate continued, Yeni Yol Party Group Chair Bülent Kaya called on Speaker Bingöl to adjourn the session. CHP's Gökhan Günaydın reacted to the call for adjournment. Later, AK Party's Muhammet Emin Akbaşoğlu took the floor. Akbaşoğlu said, "As the AK Party, we have never pursued a policy of polarizing our people; on the contrary, we have produced policies that eliminate polarization, promote embrace, return to normal, normalization, and bring our people together, focusing on all 86 million of our people. The AK Party is the name of normalization, the name of embrace. Our politics are directed toward this. The AK Party is the name of service and achievement politics, embracing the entire society."
SESSION ADJOURNED TWICE
As debates continued, Speaker Bingöl adjourned the session for 10 minutes. After the break, the General Assembly reconvened. During the ongoing one-minute speaking period for deputies, AK Party Mersin Deputy Ali Kıratlı said, "We find it highly problematic that CHP Manisa Deputy Özgür Özel, in an interview with a foreign newspaper, used expressions that question Turkey's democracy, electoral system, and position within NATO. In democratic countries, the sole source of legitimacy is the ballot box. Opening up the election results, which have been repeatedly manifested by the free will of our noble nation, to debate on foreign platforms carries no meaning other than an effort to cast a shadow on the national will."
CHP's Günaydın responded that citizens had shown their will in Mersin and would soon show it across Turkey.
In response, AK Party's Kıratlı said, "Man, you're like a childish kid, intervening in everything, honestly, you're like a childish kid, you're like a childish kid who cannot bear the weight of the Deputy Group Chairmanship."
CHP's Günaydın replied, "You will get the answer you received in Mersin from all over Turkey. I will show you the 'Manisa Deputy' comment, just wait. If you want a childish kid, look in the mirror. Each of you is acting as a trigger man separately. Aren't you ashamed to read the same script? Don't play the trigger man here; go to Mersin and get a single vote."
As the mutual jabs between the two continued, Speaker Bingöl adjourned the session for another 10 minutes. After the break, the General Assembly continued its work.