Back on the parliamentary podium after 147 days: The pin worn by Devlet Bahçeli becomes a talking point!

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli spoke at his party's group meeting in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey after 147 days had passed since his heart surgery.

The MHP leader was admitted to Anadolu Medical Center Hospital on February 4 and underwent surgery on February 6 due to degeneration in a heart valve that had been implanted 10 years ago.

Bahçeli, who appeared in public for the first time after 66 days by visiting the grave of Alparslan Türkeş, was most recently seen in Parliament in recent weeks at a condolence event held for DEM Party member Sırrı Süreyya Önder.

While today's group meeting was significant as it marked Bahçeli's return to the podium after months, the pin he wore and the messages he delivered left their mark on the group hall.

“WE WANT TO GROW TURKEY IN OUR HEARTS”

In his speech, Bahçeli drew attention with his emphasis on a “Turkey without terrorism.” Arguing that politics should move beyond narrow molds, Bahçeli said, “We are the MHP, we are Turkey, we are the Turkish nation. We want to transcend the boundaries of closed-circuit politics. We cannot close our doors and pull down our curtains. We cannot warm our own house with someone else's fire.”

“WE WILL REACH A TURKEY WITHOUT TERRORISM”

Stating that the terrorist threat in the country must be fought with determination, Bahçeli used the following expressions:

“We are aiming for the determination and resolve to reach a Turkey without terrorism. We know well the concern of who will lead the way for me if our country's security is endangered. We know well that we are the sole address our nation is looking for to answer the questions it seeks.”

The pin Bahçeli wore on his jacket while at the podium became as much of a talking point as his words. The pin featured the phrase “May God Protect the Turk.”