'Leader' debate between AKP's Metiner and IYI Party's Özatıcı: 'For God's sake, pull yourselves together'
After AKP member Mehmet Metiner used the title leader for both Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and terrorist ringleader Abdullah Öcalan in the same sentence, IYI Party Deputy Chairman Cenk Özatıcı responded with a harsh reaction.
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Following the recent statement by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli on his social media account, in which he referred to PKK terrorist organization ringleader Abdullah Öcalan as a 'leader', numerous reactions have emerged.
While a statement came from the MHP regarding the expression in question, suggesting that 'Turkey needs to overcome certain things', a debate over the term 'leader' took place on Ekol TV between AKP's Metiner and IYI Party's Cenk Özatıcı.
Angered by AKP member Metiner's use of Atatürk as an example, Özatıcı expressed his reaction with harsh words.
The following dialogue took place between the two:
Metiner: What is wrong with that? It is not something wrong, I mean, who is the founding leader of the PKK? Abdullah Öcalan. I mean, just because we call Atatürk a 'leader', are we no longer going to use the word 'leader' for others? Are we going to say that the word 'leader' is exclusive to Atatürk and we won't use the word 'leader' for anyone else?
Özatıcı: You are comparing him to Mustafa Kemal Pasha, sir, what are you saying, for God's sake! I mean, pull yourselves together! I mean, you cannot use Abdullah Öcalan in the same sentence; I forbid you, how can there be such disrespect? How can you use the founder of the Republic of Turkey and the vile murderer of 50 thousand Turkish citizens as a 'leader' in the same sentence?
Metiner: The founding leader of the PKK is Abdullah Öcalan...
Özatıcı: He is a baby killer, what leader? You have turned the man into a peace dove, it is a shame!
Metiner: The founding leader of the PKK is Abdullah Öcalan, technically that is how it is. What Mr. Bahçeli said is also correct. I do not understand why a negative meaning is being loaded onto this word. Especially to say this to a person like Mr. Bahçeli, the wise leader of Turkish nationalism, is beyond insolence!
Özatıcı: The one being insolent is you, sir. You are using Mustafa Kemal Pasha and Öcalan in the same sentence as 'leaders'; could there be any greater insolence than this? I will not tolerate this, let me tell you that.