Bahçeli Says Crisis in CHP Affects Politics and the State

MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli stated that the internal disputes within CHP are not just a party issue but also concern the state and the nation. Bahçeli emphasized that the solution lies in common sense, moderation, and unity.

MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli made striking remarks to Türkgün Newspaper covering a wide range of topics from the developments in CHP to the goal of a Terror-Free Turkey, the responsibilities of the political institution, and the vision for the Turkish world. Bahçeli noted that social change brings new problems and that the political institution has the responsibility to find solutions to these issues.

Stating that "the political institution is built upon the reality of the state and the nation," Bahçeli said, "Our greatest duty is to seek solutions to problems arising from changes in institutions that will carry our nation to a bright future based on continuity. It is imperative that we be more sensitive to the problems currently experienced in the political institution."

He added, "Because the existence of the nation, the reality of the state, and the political and social order are directly proportional to and even built upon the political institution." Bahçeli stressed that politics must be conducted with moral responsibility, saying, "A politician must act with moral values and a sense of responsibility and must not compromise on principled politics.

Moral judgments and a sense of responsibility are inseparable parts of genuine political behavior. In this regard, consistency between words and actions is valuable, and it is important not to sacrifice our fundamental values in the relationship between means and ends."

"The Crisis in CHP Concerns the State and the Nation"

Bahçeli expressed that the internal disputes in CHP are also significant for Turkey's political stability and noted that the division within the party is deepening. He said, "Since the moment an absolute nullity decision was made about CHP, we have called for acting with common sense and moderation under a historic responsibility.

However, instead of resolving this issue in a manner consistent with reason, logic, and law, it is seen that the division within the party is deepening day by day."

Touching on CHP's historical mission, Bahçeli said, "Considering the fact that CHP is as old as the Republic, if this discourse is not merely a search for legitimacy and a tool for political advantage, it should not be overlooked that CHP has a unifying and integrative role in social and political life.

Despite the historical claim, CHP today is far from its founding codes and cannot bear its historical responsibility."

Bahçeli criticized Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and Özgür Özel, stating:

"Neither Mr. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu nor Mr. Özgür Özel present an image consistent with CHP's historical responsibility through their words and actions. In fact, their attitudes, stances, and language polarize their own sociologies internally. Although it is time for unity rather than division, the course of events is shaped by concrete steps of separation."

Bahçeli argued that Özgür Özel's stance negatively affects the legal process, saying, "Mr. Özel's continuous deepening of the crisis within CHP without waiting for the Supreme Court's final decision undermines the legal process and erodes founding values.

Although Mr. Özel tries to politicize a legal issue and instrumentalize the events for his own benefit, this path is not the right one."

He emphasized that the disputes in CHP cannot be seen as merely internal party matters, stating:

"It should not be forgotten that issues appearing as internal problems of CHP are also problems of the state and the nation. This attitude, which disrupts social peace, endangers political stability, and questions trust in the law, is unsustainable. Therefore, every issue concerning the state and the nation must be discussed on the basis of reality and common sense, with stability prioritized."

Bahçeli also said, "It is incumbent upon Mr. Özel and Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu to sincerely self-criticize by putting their egos aside and try to find a solution to the problem without concealing the truth." He criticized some political parties' attitudes toward developments in CHP, stating that opportunistic politics will not benefit Turkey.

Bahçeli said, "At this stage, the political stance of some other parties is like 'grabbing a log before the flood.' Their existential anxieties lead them to approach the issue opportunistically. Most of these parties lack an ideology and exist only in a conjunctural manner."

He noted that some political parties are far from producing solutions to society's real problems, saying, "Political rhetoric that lacks reality and consists only of narrow, seductive discourse excites but does not provide bread, creates desire but does not solve problems.

A political language dominated by a simplistic and short-term understanding without cause-and-effect analysis functions not to build but to break and even destroy."

Bahçeli underlined the strategic importance of the goal of a Terror-Free Turkey for the country's future and said an uncompromising stance will be maintained on this issue.

"Our determination in the policy of a Terror-Free Turkey cannot change due to any external influence," Bahçeli said, continuing:

"Our priority is to achieve our goal of a Terror-Free Turkey that guarantees our unity and brotherhood. To emerge stronger from the surrounding ring of fire and become a state and nation that sets order in the world again, a Terror-Free Turkey is a crucial threshold."

Noting that terrorism targets social unity, Bahçeli said, "Recent developments have shown us all that the terror plague is a seed of discord sown between Turks and Kurds in our homeland. Terrorism is a tool of imperialism. As we say Terror-Free Turkey, those who react strongly are actually serving imperialism's interests and fueling its sails."

Bahçeli also delivered a message of social unity and brotherhood, stating:

"Neither the enemy of the Turk is the Kurd, nor the enemy of the Alevi is the Sunni; it should not be and will not be. As I always say, we are all Turkey together, we are the Turkish nation together."

Regarding the Turkish world and Turkey's future, Bahçeli said, "To strengthen our internal front, we will be one, we will be together, without placing divisions among us, with thousands of years of brotherhood law and a vision for the future, we will reach stronger tomorrows together. We have blood brotherhood with the Turkish world and religious brotherhood with the Islamic world; our bonds are very strong.

This must never be forgotten."

Bahçeli concluded his remarks by saying, "We do not seek help elsewhere, nor do we draw our strength from others. Our source of inspiration is our history. We draw inspiration from Mete Han, Sultan Alparslan, Fatih Sultan Mehmet, and Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk."

The CHP Party Assembly convened under the chairmanship of Kılıçdaroğlu: Congress and resignation crisis on the agenda.