Shameful for the CHP and our political history!

Today is September 9. It is the 103rd anniversary of the liberation of our beautiful İzmir from enemy occupation. It is one of the most important symbols not only for İzmir but for our entire nation's will for independence and freedom, and the path leading to the Republic…

September 9 has also been adopted as the founding date of the Republican People's Party (CHP). The CHP is 102 years old today.

FROM THE FIRST RESISTANCE TO BIRTH…

The "People's Party Regulations," a charter prepared based on the "Election Manifesto" known as the "Nine Principles" (Dokuz Umde) dated April 8, 1923, by Mustafa Kemal Pasha, the Chairman of the Society for the Defense of Rights of Anatolia and Rumelia, was accepted at a general meeting held on September 9, 1923. This date has been adopted as the founding date of the Republican People's Party.

The political organization process, which began with resistance against imperialist occupation, also brought about the birth of a political party in September 1923. I would like to state here immediately that the Sivas Congress of September 4, 1919, which is accepted as the first congress of the CHP (then known as the People's Party), is also considered the party's actual founding date.

EVENTS ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING…

On September 8, 2025, one day before this meaningful day, shameful and sad events occurred for the CHP, founded by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and for our political history…

For the first time in its history, a 'trustee' has been appointed to the Istanbul Provincial Presidency of the party, which was previously shut down during the September 12 coup. Moreover, this process was carried out with the support of internal party opposition(!) who claim to see themselves as the true owners of the 'father's hearth.' All eyes are on the outcome of the congress cancellation lawsuit on September 15… There are also those who claim that the party is facing the threat of being shut down… I think everyone has received the social message intended to be sent regarding the CHP…

NO ONE CHOSE THIS PATH!

The history of the CHP, which has seen internal party competition, strife, and purges, can in one respect be called a 'History of Congresses' and a 'History of Internal Party Conflicts.' To date, the CHP has held 38 ordinary and 21 extraordinary congresses.

Yes, there has been internal party competition, purges, and strife, but at no time was the path taken to dominate the party through the courts or political power.

Especially after 1950, when it lost power to the Democrat Party, internal party struggle began. The appointment of the Secretary-General by the Chairman ended with the adoption of the principle that the 'Secretary-General be elected by the congress delegates' at the 8th Congress of the CHP (June 29-July 3, 1950).

At the congress, the name elected as Secretary-General against Nihat Erim and Şemsettin Günaltay, who were the Secretary-General candidates of Chairman İsmet İnönü, was Kasım Gülek. It was the first defeat İnönü had suffered at a congress. The Chairman-Secretary-General conflict that began with this congress continued. Such as İsmet İnönü-Kasım Gülek, İsmet İnönü-Bülent Ecevit…

Before İnönü left office, names such as Bülent Ecevit, Nihat Erim, and Turan Feyzioğlu, who were candidates for İsmet Pasha's seat within the party, were also in competition. The winner was Ecevit. Those who left afterward founded the Republican Party and the Reliance Party… More recently, Deniz Baykal and those who opposed him… The examples could be multiplied…

There was internal party opposition, wings, and group strife… There was a race for the Chairmanship… However, no matter what these struggles or conflicts were called, they were never taken to this extent in any period. No one acted as a partisan for political power!

Writing and remembering what happened yesterday on such an important day as September 9 is truly distressing. I hope that such shameful events for both the history of the CHP and our political history will never happen again...


Sources:

- Nutuk, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Yayın B, 5th Edition, August 2012.
- Tek Parti Dönemi ve Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi, Hakkı Uyar, Boyut Yayıncılık, 2012.
- 100 Soruda CHP Tarihi (1923-2015), Hakkı Uyar, ANKA-Ha Yayınları, 2015.
- CHP Tarihi 1919-1979, Hikmet Bila, DMS Doruk Matbaacılık Sanayii, 1979.
- Atatürk’ün Sırdaşı Kılıç Ali’nin Anıları, Compiled by: Hulusi Turgut, Türkiye İş Bankası Kültür Yayınları, 11th Edition, December 2008.
- Türkiye Solunun Kısa Tarihi, Şenol Çarık, 2nd Edition, January 2017.
- Cumhuriyet’in 90 Yıllık Çınarı CHP, Oktay Gökdemir, Yakın Kitabevi, 2013.