Kılıçdaroğlu's defense sparks debate within IYI Party

The 7th Chairman of the CHP, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, continues to face repercussions following the 25-page defense statement he submitted in the 'insulting a public official' case opened upon the complaint of AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Making a reference to the Founding Chair of the IYI Party, Meral Akşener, Kılıçdaroğlu stated, “Those whom we knew as nationalist and patriotic, who said as a testament during the presidential elections that ‘I entrust Kılıçdaroğlu to my family,’ turned out to be collaborators. I made a mistake by believing in them.”

IYI Party Chairman Müsavat Dervişoğlu responded to these remarks by Kılıçdaroğlu, saying, “I strongly condemn the statements that directly target our Founding Chair, Ms. Meral Akşener.”

Former IYI Party Migration Policies Chair and Deputy Chairman Mehmet Tolga Akalın, meanwhile, claimed that Akşener had wanted to be a candidate herself in the 2023 presidential elections but was hesitant. Akalın said, "Akşener wanted to make herself the candidate by trapping Turkey between Erdoğan and Mr. Kemal, and then opening a path for a third candidacy."

IYI Party Chair of Legal, Election and Parliamentary Affairs Hakan Şeref Olgun also reacted to Akalın, stating, “The IYI Party and IYI Party members do not and will not allow disloyal people to pass.”  

According to a report by Merve Kılıç from Cumhuriyet, it has been learned that no steps have been taken yet regarding the disciplinary process for Akalın. Party insiders commented, “There are those who are uncomfortable with Dervişoğlu's success. Expelling Akalın would open a new front within the party.”

News Source: 12punto