Photo tension at the parliamentary reception: Statements from parties follow one another

The reception held after the opening of the new legislative year of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey became a major topic of discussion due to photos taken by some opposition party leaders with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. These images sparked widespread reaction on social media and became the target of intense criticism. Following these photos, in which CHP, TİP, and EMEP did not participate, various parties issued statements one after another.

STATEMENTS FOLLOWED COMMENTS ON THE PHOTO

Comments made on social media prompted various parties to issue statements following the photo. In statements made by the DEM, Gelecek, and DEVA parties, it was emphasized that being in the photo did not signify a political alliance.

STATEMENT FROM DEM CO-CHAIR HATİMOĞULLARI

DEM Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları, in a statement to journalist İrfan Aktan, said, "We are managing a negotiation process. We have met with all political parties and the executive bodies of the state. I hope these meetings will result in an honorable peace. These meetings of ours will continue. We deemed it appropriate to go there during this period."

Gelecek Party spokesperson Ufuk Karcı stated on his social media account, "Our Chairman conveyed his wishes for the new legislative year to be beneficial to our country and nation, both to the President and to the esteemed audience present there. It is quite natural for political parties to come together without discrimination, and no other intention should be sought behind these images."

CLEAR STANCE STATEMENT FROM DEVA PARTY

DEVA Party Deputy Chairman İdris Şahin stated on the social media platform X that his party's stance is clear. Şahin said, "Those who try to derive different meanings from a photo frame in an environment attended upon the invitation of the Speaker of the Parliament should be assured that the DEVA Party's stance is clear. Our struggle against injustices, lawlessness, and corruption is absolute." Şahin added, "Just as there is not the slightest positive change in the government's attitude regarding the issues we mentioned above, there can be no difference in our understanding of opposition."

FELICITY PARTY LEADER ALSO ISSUED A STATEMENT

Felicity Party Chairman Mahmut Arıkan also made a statement following the photo. In a brief statement on his X account, Arıkan said, "Political parties are not enemies of one another; they are rivals. Competition in politics is not, and should not be, an obstacle to courtesy. Democracy is not about everyone agreeing; it is the virtue of being able to stand in the same frame of courtesy despite having different ideas." Arıkan added, "We are not anyone's enemy; we are devoted to our nation."

News Source: 12punto