'Neo-Ottomanism' rhetoric in CHP: Harsh reaction to Kılıçdaroğlu from MP Pala

The "Ottoman geography" remarks regarding foreign policy made by Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who returned to the CHP chairmanship following a "null and void" ruling by the Ankara Regional Court of Justice, have ignited a new crisis within the party. Holding a press conference at the Turkish Grand National Assembly, CHP Bursa MP Kayıhan Pala criticized Kılıçdaroğlu's words in harsh terms, stating, "The emphasis on 'neo-Ottomanism' in Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's statement on Tuesday is unacceptable. We see very clearly that they are not sincere in these claims."

In the main opposition party, where tensions have not subsided following the court ruling and the crisis over the police-enforced evacuation, an ideological debate has now begun. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's vision of "growth in Ottoman geography and Turkic republics" in foreign policy, expressed while addressing party members from the headquarters building, drew a strong reaction from MPs aligned with the Özgür Özel and Ekrem İmamoğlu camp.

"WE SAW THEY WERE NOT SINCERE IN THEIR DISCOURSE ON JUSTICE"

Appearing before cameras in Parliament, CHP Bursa MP Kayıhan Pala argued that the legal process and the maneuvers of Kılıçdaroğlu's team were damaging the party's historical identity. Referring to Kılıçdaroğlu's past "Justice March," Pala stated:

"At the point we have reached, we see very clearly that Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu and his team, who previously held a justice march and voiced the discourse of rights, law, and justice, are not sincere in these claims. The emphasis on 'neo-Ottomanism' in Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's statement on Tuesday is unacceptable. This should be evaluated not only through the lens of lawlessness and the values the CHP has defended to date, but also through the values written in the party charter."

"THE APPOINTED ADMINISTRATION MUST IMMEDIATELY TAKE THE PARTY TO A CONVENTION"

Addressing rumors that Kılıçdaroğlu and his team would expel opposition MPs based on the court ruling, Pala reminded them of the party charter, described the current administration as "appointed," and called for a party convention:

"According to the party charter, it is legally impossible for MPs to be expelled by a decision of the MYK (Central Executive Board)."

"The appointed administration must act in accordance with the CHP charter as soon as possible and refrain from any practice that would override the will of the voters by taking the party to a convention immediately. If they do not choose such a path, they will have to answer to history. Whatever the cost, we will continue this struggle."

THE WORDS THAT CAUSED THE CRISIS: WHAT DID KILIÇDAROĞLU SAY?

The controversial speech by Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, which Kayıhan Pala described as "neo-Ottomanism" and found to be contrary to the six-arrow principles in the CHP charter, was as follows:

"World balances are changing; look at China, America, and England. Look at Middle East policies, look at the lands of the Ottoman Empire, look at the people living in that geography; Turkey must go to that geography, and it must protect and develop its own personality there again, but again. We must grow, not shrink. Turkey must be in the Turkic republics, Turkey must be in the Ottoman geography, and Turkey must be in the Mediterranean geography. We have to fight for this."