'We are not filing lawsuits because we do not insult each other; if you don't speak ill, you won't hear ill'

Sabah newspaper columnist Yavuz Donat has written the third part of his interview with CHP Chairman Özgür Özel. In his article titled "Competition without insults," Donat conveyed what Özel said regarding normalization and softening in politics.

According to Donat, Özgür Özel drew attention to the ceremony held in the TRNC for the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation, stating, "If we had not succeeded in the softening and normalization in politics, either I would not have gone to Cyprus, or the President would not have gone. We would not have gone because he was going. When the President and the leader of the main opposition do not greet or shake hands, how are they supposed to be together at such a ceremony?"

Recalling artist Kayahan's words, "We went for a concert, we got cancer," Özel said, "One should not confuse a concert with cancer. Politics is a matter of competition, courtesy, negotiation, and struggle... This balance must be maintained." 

'THERE IS A WELL-INTENTIONED BUT UNEASY AUDIENCE'

Yavuz Donat conveyed the response Özel gave to the question of how his words, "There is no compromise on respect for the office," which made headlines in Sabah one week after the March 31 local elections, were received within the CHP:

"It was received well... Of course, if a group is ill-intentioned, there is nothing to say.

There is also an audience that is very well-intentioned but feels uneasy.

I understand them... The atmosphere of tension that lasted for years... And they say: 'They did this and that to us... Now you have come and you are saying this.'

But over time, they saw what I meant.

I mean... There is a difference between opposing and insulting.

We will continue to tell the truth... But we will definitely not insult."

'THIS STATE HAS TRADITIONS'

Touching upon the Presidential seal debate that came to the agenda during President Erdoğan's return visit to the CHP, Özel said the following:

I told my friends... This state has traditions... We might have forgotten them.

I went first. I requested an appointment and visited the President.

Then... The President informed us that he would pay a return visit... 10 minutes later, I gave instructions to my friends... I said, request the Presidential seal from the Presidential Complex.

When Mr. Erdoğan arrived... We hoisted that seal at the CHP Headquarters... Why? If the President goes somewhere... So that it is known by everyone that he is there... Inside.

We did this... We did well... Did it hurt our hands?"

Yavuz Donat conveyed Özel's words on the subject of "insults" as follows:

'IF YOU DON'T SPEAK ILL, YOU WON'T HEAR ILL'

"I was elected chairman on November 5... And so far, I have not filed a single insult lawsuit against Mr. Erdoğan.

The President has not filed a lawsuit against me either.

Is there an agreement between us? No... Lawsuits are not being filed because we do not insult each other.

If you don't speak ill, you won't hear ill."

News Source: 12punto