Tensions escalate in CHP: Orhan Sarıbal criticizes Özgür Özel, supports Salıcı

The debate that began following CHP member Oğuz Kaan Salıcı's criticisms of the party continues. The harsh responses from Özgür Özel and Party Spokesperson Deniz Yücel to Salıcı's criticisms have led to a reaction from Orhan Sarıbal, following those of Sevda Erdan Kılıç and Mahir Polat.

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Tensions escalate in CHP: Orhan Sarıbal criticizes Özgür Özel, supports Salıcı

The debate that began with CHP Istanbul MP Oğuz Kaan Salıcı's criticism of Chairman Özgür Özel's "normalization" rhetoric is growing. Following Salıcı's message that "a party congress will be held if necessary," a statement came from Özgür Özel.

In his statement yesterday, Özel said: "For anyone who is not satisfied with the direction of the party, the party's charter is already clear. What to do in this situation is clear. In that case, no one says anything to anyone."

In addition to Özel, who said, "No one should beg me for a congress," a response to Salıcı's criticisms also came from CHP Spokesperson Deniz Yücel. In a statement on his social media account, Yücel said, "Anyone who engages in actions and rhetoric that harm the party's corporate identity while pursuing personal ambition and future prospects should know, especially someone who has held important positions in the past, that our party will not remain indifferent to this."

Yücel and Özel's harsh statements were met with a reaction from CHP Bursa MP Orhan Sarıbal, following those of CHP İzmir MPs Sevda Erdan Kılıç and Mahir Polat.

'THE DISCOMFORT EXPRESSED BY SALICI IS A CONCERN FELT BY MANY PARTY MEMBERS'

Making a statement on his social media account, Orhan Sarıbal also criticized the party's "normalization strategy," just like Oğuz Kaan Salıcı. Sarıbal said, "In recent times, the 'softening' or 'normalization' strategy pursued by our Chairman is seen as a serious problem in terms of democracy and freedoms, which are already under blockade in our country." Referring to Özgür Özel's words, Sarıbal stated, "Especially if our Chairman's words, 'No one should beg me for a congress,' are intended as a threat in an arrogant approach fueled by the power of the ruling party, this befits neither our party's deep-rooted democratic culture nor what we have promised the people. A congress is the will of the party delegates, beyond any personal decision."

Orhan Sarıbal said the following in his statement:

"The Republican People's Party adopts an egalitarian and participatory management approach that aims to ensure social justice, protect individual freedoms, and increase the welfare of the people, with the determination to build a democratic state structure in Turkey in line with the principle of social democracy.

At the foundation of our party lies a history of struggle based on social democracy and conducted in the direction of the goal of a democratic state. This historical accumulation shows that our party is open to internal evaluation and self-criticism, which are the cornerstones of democracy, in any situation. This approach is a force that guides our party not only toward the problems of the people but also toward the need for continuous development and transformation within itself.

In recent times, the 'softening' or 'normalization' strategy pursued by our Chairman is seen as a serious problem in terms of democracy and freedoms, which are already under blockade in our country.

Perhaps for the first time in our party's recent history, such a large group of deputies has made intense criticisms directly toward the Chairman and management decisions at a group meeting.

The discomfort expressed by Oğuz Kaan Salıcı naturally reflects a concern felt by many party members as well.

However, the extremely discourteous attitude of our spokesperson Deniz Yücel in response to this concern is detrimental to our party's deep-rooted democratic, pluralistic, and tolerant structure.

This tone is seen as a reflection of an almost spiteful attitude toward our party's elders, their experience, and the values brought from the past, and it creates a worrying image of emulating the methods of the ruling power.

Especially if our Chairman's words, 'No one should beg me for a congress,' are intended as a threat in an arrogant approach fueled by the power of the ruling party, this befits neither our party's deep-rooted democratic culture nor what we have promised the people. A congress is the will of the party delegates, beyond any personal decision.

Our party should not move away from its democratic ideals and its culture of listening to the voice of its people; our goal should be to strengthen our country's belief in democracy and to rebuild a true democracy that looks out for the peace of our people, through a tradition of sincerely embraced solidarity and collective decision-making. Our struggle today is to rebuild a pluralistic, free Turkey against the one-man understanding of the Palace regime."

News Source: 12punto