AKP and CHP politicians argue over elections during Eid visits

Representatives of Turkey’s political parties on June 29 organized Eid visits to each other. The ruling AKP delegation paid the first visit to the main opposition CHP in a tense environment in which representatives engaged a heated argument regarding the elections.

Thursday June 29 2023 11:04 pm

The CHP and AKP delagations meet during the Eid visits.

Serkan Alan / Gazete Duvar

The main opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) headquarters on June 29 was one of the main addresses for the traditional Eid visits among political parties in Turkey. Nonetheless, the CHP's meeting with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) was quite tense.

Aylin Nazlıaka, the head of the CHP's women's branch and a member of the delegation, expressed that they had a difficult Eid due to the citizens who were facing challenges in the earthquake zone and those who were struggling with economic difficulties amidst the crisis.

The AKP delegation, on the other hand, said that the existing problems would be solved thanks to the "greatness of the state" and asked for the CHP's support for the new constitutional amendment proposal.

When the AKP delegation mentioned the elections, Nazlıaka said, "We would like to note our doubts about how fair this election was. It was an election in which (your) party used state power through circulation of montage (videos). We have local elections ahead of us, and we want a more equitable manner."

She also added that they have doubts about supporting a constitutional amendment drafted by those “who do not abide by the existing constitution and say they do not recognize the Constitutional Court's decision.”

Following these statements, tensions rose between the delegations and a discussion ensued. The AKP representative said that the CHP “staged a play” on the night of the elections to act like they had won and added, "There is no doubt in our nation, let alone in the world, that the elections were held fairly and legally.”

When Nazlıaka said they respected the results, the AKP delegate said, "The result was also quite good. Anatolian wisdom revealed itself clearly. Anatolian wisdom that you do not like..." Nazlıaka reacted to these allegations and stated “Like or dislike cannot be in a politician's vocabulary.”

The CHP had 16 meetings scheduled with other political parties during the day for the Eid greetings.

The CHP and AKP in 2023 have competed in a very aggressive environment during the parliamentary and presidential elections. The AKP and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has even circulated a montage video of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) cadres singing the CHP's election song in order to undermine opposition's campaign.

(English version by Can Bodrumlu)