AKP politician insults İsmet İnönü in Bursa council; CHP walks out

Tensions flared in the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Council during its July session after an AKP group spokesperson made insulting remarks about İsmet İnönü, Turkey's second president and a hero of the War of Independence. The controversy erupted when CHP group spokesperson Yücel Akbulut questioned the meaning of the War of Independence. AKP spokesperson Ahmet Alperen Aydın responded by referencing the Greek Prime Minister Venizelos' son's visit to Atatürk's tomb during the occupation of Bursa and then asked if İnönü had walked arm-in-arm with Venizelos' son.

Mudanya Mayor Deniz Dalgıç of the CHP fiercely criticized Aydın's remarks, stating, "Don't pollute this place. Is İsmet İnönü relevant here? İsmet İnönü is a real veteran. He is not a self-proclaimed veteran. He fought for his country. You cannot be a veteran just like that. Find another group spokesperson. This is not that kind of place."

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Yunanistan Başbakanı Venizelos’un oğlu Sofokles, Bursa işgalinde Osman Gazi Türbesi’ne gidip fotoğraf bile çektirmiş, bu küstahlığı yapmıştı. Fakat aradan geçen birkaç sene sonra, ikinci genel başkanınız İsmet İnönü, eşini Venizelos’un koluna taktı mı, takmadı mı?.. Taktı mı, takmadı mı?

The heated exchange led to a recess. Upon the session's resumption, the CHP group declared they would leave the council if an apology was not issued. However, the Deputy Speaker of the Council, Şahin Biba, stated, "Let no one expect anything from anyone. This council has seen a lot, heard many insults, but no one has apologized to anyone." Following this statement, the CHP members walked out. The meeting was subsequently adjourned until July 16.

The incident highlights ongoing political tensions and historical debates within Turkish local governance, with historical figures and events becoming points of contention between major political parties.

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Burayı kirletmeyin. İsmet İnönü buranın konusu mu? İsmet İnönü gerçek gazidir. Kerameti kendinden menkul gazi değildir İsmet İnönü. Kendine gazi demekle, gazi olunmuyor. Adam vatanı için savaşmış. İşkembe-i kübradan gazi olunmuyor. Başka bir Grup Sözcüsü bulun kendinize. Burası öyle bir yer değil.