Breaking News: Hüsamettin Cindoruk has passed away

Hüsamettin Cindoruk, the founder of the National Center and the 17th Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, has passed away.

Former TBMM Speaker Hüsamettin Cindoruk was admitted to Koç University Hospital on December 25, 2025, after his oxygen saturation levels dropped at home. Cindoruk, who was under treatment there, was being monitored in the intensive care unit. It was reported that Cindoruk passed away today.

National Center Ankara Representative Ufuk Söylemez announced the news of Cindoruk's death in a statement with the following words:

"Throughout his life, he remained wholeheartedly committed to our democracy and the founding values of our Atatürk Republic, defended the rule of law under all circumstances, and was a true democrat, a respected politician, and a statesman with his national stance and attitude in favor of national interests; our dear elder and opinion leader, our 17th TBMM Speaker Mr. Hüsamettin Cindoruk, who captured hearts with his tolerance, kindness, and wisdom, has passed away.

Our grief is great. We wish patience and offer our condolences to his family, loved ones, and all who cherished him, especially his esteemed wife, Mrs. Dilek Cindoruk. The memory of our very dear elder will live on in our hearts, and his democratic and courageous stance will illuminate our path. May God have mercy on his soul."

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL CENTER

In the statement made by the National Center, the following expressions were included:

"Our 17th TBMM Speaker Mr. Hüsamettin Cindoruk, a respected politician and statesman who dedicated his life to democracy and the rule of law, was wholeheartedly committed to the founding values of the Atatürk Republic, and was resilient, prudent, tolerant, wise, and humble; the Founder and President of the National Center, which was formed by national and democratic intellectuals who came together with the motto 'United in Atatürk' and an approach that transcends parties, regardless of right or left, origin or sect, has passed away. Our grief is great. May our nation have our condolences, may God have mercy on his soul. His memory will live on in our hearts, and his stance and struggle will illuminate our path."

Politicians shared condolence messages following the news of Cindoruk's death.

'HE WAS A STATESMAN WHO KNEW HOW TO CARRY THE TRUST AND HOW TO HAND IT OVER WHEN THE TIME CAME'

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel: 'I learned with deep sadness of the passing of Hüsamettin Cindoruk, an exceptional name in Turkish politics who served as TBMM Speaker and Acting President. Mr. Cindoruk, who dedicated a lifetime to the law, the prestige of the Parliament, and the tradition of democratic politics; was a statesman who knew the weight of offices, how to carry the trust, and how to hand it over when the time came.

His stance in favor of democratic legitimacy, despite the shadows of coup periods, during his journey that began as a lawyer at a young age, will be remembered as one of the most precious marks of his life. May he rest in peace.'

TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş: 'I wish God's mercy upon the veteran politician Hüsamettin Cindoruk, the 17th Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, who left deep marks on Turkish politics; and I offer my condolences to his family, relatives, and loved ones.'

Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu: 'I received the news of the passing of our former TBMM Speaker, our 17th and 19th Term Deputy, Mr. Ahmet Hüsamettin Cindoruk, with deep sadness. I wish God's mercy upon the deceased; and offer my condolences to his family and loved ones. May he rest in peace.'

'HE LEFT A MARK IN MEMORIES WITH HIS STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY AND THE RULE OF LAW'

Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş: 'I learned with sadness that former TBMM Speaker Hüsamettin Cindoruk, one of the important names of Turkish politics, has passed away. I wish God's mercy upon Cindoruk, who left a mark in memories with his struggle for democracy, the rule of law, and Republican values; and I offer my condolences to his family, relatives, and all his loved ones.'

İzmir Metropolitan Mayor Cemil Tugay: 'I learned with sadness of the passing of our former TBMM Speaker, lawyer, and politician Hüsamettin Cindoruk, one of the unforgettable names of Turkish politics. We will always remember him for his struggle on behalf of Republican values and democracy. I wish God's mercy upon Mr. Cindoruk; and offer my condolences to his family, relatives, and our entire nation. May he rest in peace.'

Bursa Metropolitan Mayor Mustafa Bozbey: 'I received the news of the passing of Mr. Hüsamettin Cindoruk, one of the veteran names of Turkish politics, who undertook the duties of TBMM Speaker and Acting President, with great sadness. His efforts for democracy, the rule of law, and the parliamentary tradition throughout his life have left a respected mark in our political history. He will always be remembered for his state experience and principled stance. I wish God's mercy upon him; and offer my patience and condolences to his family, relatives, and all his loved ones. May he rest in peace.'

Adana Metropolitan Mayor Zeydan Karalar: 'I learned with sadness of the passing of former TBMM Speaker Hüsamettin Cindoruk, who undertook important duties in Turkish politics for many years. I wish God's mercy upon him; and offer my condolences to his family, relatives, and loved ones.'

Mersin Metropolitan Mayor Vahap Seçer: 'I learned with sadness of the passing of former TBMM Speaker Hüsamettin Cindoruk. I wish God's mercy upon the deceased, and offer my condolences to his family, loved ones, and the political community.'

Manisa Metropolitan Mayor Besim Dutlulu: 'I learned with deep sadness of the passing of our former TBMM Speaker, Mr. Hüsamettin Cindoruk, one of the veteran names of Turkish politics. I wish God's mercy upon Mr. Cindoruk, who left a mark in our political history with his struggle for democracy and his identity as a statesman; and offer my condolences to his family, loved ones, and our nation. May he rest in peace.'

'OUR DEAR ELDER WHO LEFT A MARK ON THE POLITICAL WORLD WITH HIS GENTLEMANLINESS AND KINDNESS...'

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Ali Mahir Başarır: 'We are in deep sorrow over the loss of our former TBMM Speaker, Mr. Hüsamettin Cindoruk, a defender of the rule of law who dedicated his life to Republican values and democracy. I wish God's mercy upon our dear elder, who left a mark on the political world with his gentlemanliness and kindness; and offer my condolences to his precious wife, Mrs. Dilek Cindoruk, his family, and all his loved ones. The values he added to our country and his democratic stance will always be remembered with respect. May he rest in peace.'

CHP Deputy Chairman Gökan Zeybek: 'I learned with deep sadness of the passing of Hüsamettin Cindoruk, one of the important and valuable names of Turkish politics, who served as TBMM Speaker and Acting President. The values he added to our country and his democratic stance will always be remembered with respect. I wish God's mercy upon him; and offer my condolences to his family, relatives, and our nation. May he rest in peace.'

Doğru Yol Party Chairman Cenk Küpeli: 'I have learned with deep sorrow of the passing of our Chairman Hüsamettin Cindoruk, one of the important names of Turkish politics, who served as Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and Acting President, and one of the leading leaders of the center-right.

Mr. Cindoruk, who dedicated his life to the rule of law, democracy, and the deep-rooted values of center politics; continued the struggle for democracy, which he began as a young lawyer during the Yassıada process, with determination throughout his life, and earned an exceptional place in Turkish political life.

I wish God's mercy upon the deceased; and convey my condolences and patience to his family, especially the precious organization members of our Doğru Yol Party, his loved ones, and our beloved nation. May he rest in peace. We will miss our Chairman very much…'

Anahtar Party Chairman Yavuz Ağıralioğlu: 'I learned with sadness of the passing of Mr. Hüsamettin Cindoruk, one of the former Speakers of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Mr. Cindoruk, who was the memory of an era and a generation; lived a life dedicated to the gains of the Republic and the ideal of a strong state of law, with his democratic stance during Turkey's troubled processes. I wish God's mercy upon him; and offer my condolences to his family, relatives, and our nation.'

Former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu: 'I learned with sadness of the passing of Mr. Hüsamettin Cindoruk, who performed the duties of Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and Acting President. I wish God's mercy upon him, and offer my condolences and patience to his grieving family and loved ones. May he rest in peace.'

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WHO IS HÜSAMETTİN CİNDORUK?

Born in İzmir in 1933, Cindoruk graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Law and began his professional life as a lawyer. Taking his first steps into politics along the lines of the Democrat Party, Cindoruk took on active roles in formations that were continuations of the parties closed after the 1960 coup.

Cindoruk, who was among the founders of the True Path Party (DYP), served as the party's chairman for many years. Cindoruk, who was elected as TBMM Speaker after the 1991 general elections (1991–1995), also assumed the duty of DYP Chairman for a while after Süleyman Demirel became President.

Accepted as one of the leading names of the center-right in Turkish politics, Cindoruk also served as Acting President.