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CHP deputy dismisses Bahçeli's state aid suggestion for new parties
🇹🇷 Turkey /Elections & Politics

CHP deputy dismisses Bahçeli's state aid suggestion for new parties

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • CHP Deputy Chairman Murat Emir responded to MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli's suggestion that new parties should receive state treasury aid.
  • Emir stated that while legally difficult under current frameworks, Bahçeli, as part of the Cumhur İttifak, could facilitate such a move if genuinely intended.
  • He argued that ethical issues, such as the imprisonment of CHP members and restrictions on defense, should be addressed before financial aid, expressing disappointment that Bahçeli's intervention did not prioritize these matters.

Peoples' Republican Party (CHP) Deputy Chairman Murat Emir has responded to Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli's proposal that new parties emerging from the CHP should receive a share of state treasury aid. Bahçeli suggested that if a new party forms from the CHP, it should receive a proportional share of the approximately 1.8 billion lira the CHP receives annually from the treasury, based on the number of defecting lawmakers.

Under the current legal framework, it is not possible, but Mr. Bahçeli is part of the Cumhur İttifak. If they have such a sincere thought, it is very easy for them to take steps.

— Murat EmirThe CHP Deputy Chairman responded to the MHP leader's proposal regarding state funding for new political parties.

Emir acknowledged that such a move is not possible under the current legal framework. However, he pointed out that Bahçeli, as a key figure in the Cumhur İttifak (People's Alliance), could easily take steps to make it happen if the intention were sincere. "If they have such a sincere thought, it is very easy for them to take steps," Emir stated.

However, Emir emphasized that the issue extends beyond mere financial matters. He raised concerns about the political climate, citing the imprisonment of CHP members based on alleged slanders and the limited defense time granted to Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. "While CHP cadres are kept in prison over slanders and even 14 hours of defense is not allowed for Mr. İmamoğlu, nothing has been done," Emir lamented.

We certainly want to receive the aid we deserve from the treasury, but we believe there are much more important ethical values we need to discuss before money.

— Murat EmirEmir prioritized ethical considerations over financial aid in the context of Turkish politics.

While expressing a desire for the CHP to receive its rightful share of treasury aid, Emir stressed the importance of addressing fundamental ethical values first. "We believe there are much more important ethical values we need to discuss before money," he said. He concluded with a note of disappointment, wishing that Bahçeli's intervention had prioritized these ethical concerns over financial distribution.

We also lament that if Mr. Bahçeli's intervention had been for them [those facing political persecution] as a priority.

— Murat EmirThe CHP official expressed disappointment that the MHP leader's focus was not on perceived political injustices.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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