Figure close to Kılıçdaroğlu on potential split: 'I hope it doesn't happen'

CHP İzmir Deputy Rıfat Turuntay Nalbantoğlu visited Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu at his residence after the latter returned to the party chairmanship following a court ruling of "absolute nullity." When asked whether a split might occur within the party, Nalbantoğlu replied, "We hope it doesn't happen."

The Republican People's Party (CHP) continues to experience turbulent days following the judicial decision and the subsequent handover process via enforcement. As visits of support for Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu continue, İzmir Deputy Rıfat Turuntay Nalbantoğlu met with Kılıçdaroğlu to discuss the roadmap for the upcoming period.

"HE HAS UNDERTAKEN A DIFFICULT TASK TO RETURN THE PARTY TO ITS ORIGINAL FOUNDING CODES"

Speaking to members of the press after the meeting, Nalbantoğlu stated that they stand behind Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and used the following expressions:

"We stand behind our Chairman to the end. This country has a great need for the Republican People's Party. As our Chairman has stated, he has undertaken a very difficult task to return the party to its original founding codes in order to meet this need. We will strive to be by his side, to support him, and to assist him as much as we can, for as long as he requests it from us."

WILL "ÖZGÜR ÖZEL" SUPPORT LEAD TO A SPLIT?

When asked whether the fact that many deputies continue to support Özgür Özel might lead to a split within the party and whether he harbors any concerns regarding this, Nalbantoğlu expressed his wish for internal party unity. The İzmir Deputy stated, "We hope it doesn't happen. We hope that we will all succeed in preserving our unity and integrity together," expressing their hope that the process would not evolve into a division.