'We are not ashamed' remarks drew backlash: Erdoğan defends Özlem Zengin

AKP Chairperson and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reacted sharply to the criticisms directed at AKP Deputy Chairperson Özlem Zengin by CHP deputies in the General Assembly. Erdoğan stated, "We strongly condemn the disrespect shown to female deputies and our Veteran Parliament."

In his statement following the Cabinet meeting, Erdoğan addressed the debates that took place during the budget negotiations and said, "I kindly request everyone to pay attention to their tone during this process where polemics and arguments are intensifying." He also conveyed his condolences to the family of the late Manisa Şehzadeler Mayor Gülşah Durbay.

Erdoğan noted the following:

"I would like to express here that we view with regret the ugly expressions that exceeded the limits of decency used by a main opposition party deputy towards our party's Group Deputy Chairperson during the budget negotiations. We strongly condemn this disrespect shown to female deputies and our Veteran Parliament in the person of our Group Deputy Chairperson.

Everyone must pay attention to courtesy in politics. Such unbecoming expressions that lower the level of politics should be avoided. Those who represent the nation must, first and foremost, possess a political tone that will set an example for the nation.

I kindly request everyone to be a little more careful regarding their tone during the budget marathon, where polemics and arguments are intensifying. We will, of course, criticize each other, but we will not be hurtful or destructive."

WHAT HAPPENED?

Tensions had risen between the AKP and CHP groups during the ongoing budget negotiations in Parliament. CHP Group Deputy Chairperson Gökhan Günaydın stated that the government was placing people close to the AKP into public service without exams and asked, "Are you not ashamed at all?" AKP's Özlem Zengin, who responded to these criticisms by saying, "Yes, we are not ashamed, we are proud of the work we do," had drawn backlash.

News Source: 12punto