CHP's New Leadership Greets AKP First in Post-Holiday Visits

After its leadership changed hands via a court ruling, the Republican People's Party (CHP) initiated its holiday greetings to political parties with a visit to the Justice and Development Party (AKP). This marks a significant shift, as the CHP had previously abstained from such greetings for two holidays following the arrest and imprisonment of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in March 2025.

The CHP's new leadership, under Özgür Özel, engaged in Bayram (holiday) greetings with a wide array of parties, including the AKP, MHP, Yeniden Refah Party, Saadet Partisi, Deva Partisi, Gelecek Partisi, and others. Notably, the DEM Party and İYİ Party had previously supported Özel during the "absolute nullity" process. The initial visit to the AKP headquarters was led by AKP Deputy Chairman Hüseyin Yayman, who welcomed the CHP delegation, stating, "We were very happy to host the CHP delegation at our AKP headquarters." The parties last met for holiday greetings in June 2024.

During the CHP's visit to the AKP, messages of "unity and togetherness" and "internal front" were prominent. Discussions also touched upon foreign policy, with CHP Kütahya Deputy Ali Fazıl Kasap sharing his experiences working in Africa and emphasizing the need for development in Turkish-speaking regions. Yayman responded positively, saying, "Bravo."

CHP representatives, including İzmir Deputy Sevda Erdan Kılıç, stressed the shared goal of citizens living peacefully and prosperously in Turkey, despite differing viewpoints. AKP's Resul Kurt, a former chief inspector, congratulated the new CHP leadership and expressed hope for joint service to the nation, stating, "We must be strong; we can do this together." He also recalled a past anecdote about Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's perceived forgetfulness.

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