DEM Party Official: Kılıçdaroğlu Not Serious Figure Over Immunity Vote Stance

A prominent official from Turkey's DEM Party has sharply criticized Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the former leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), regarding his past decision to vote in favor of lifting parliamentary immunities. This vote, which occurred in 2016, was a precursor to the arrests of several members of parliament, including prominent Kurdish politicians like Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ.

Sezai Temelli, the DEM Party's Deputy Group Chairperson, stated that Kılıçdaroğlu's recent assertion of "not regretting" his vote is "a matter that even humor cannot accept." Temelli argued that Kılıçdaroğlu should have expressed regret much earlier, particularly on November 4, 2016, the day Demirtaş and others were detained. He pointed out that Kılıçdaroğlu's vote was cast despite acknowledging it was unconstitutional, calling such an action a crime and a violation of the constitution.

Temelli also addressed rumors of Kılıçdaroğlu planning to visit Demirtaş in prison. He questioned what Kılıçdaroğlu would say to Demirtaş, given his past actions and current lack of remorse. "I lifted your immunity, I said yes to an unconstitutional act, I don't regret it, but I am sorry you are here..." Temelli posed sarcastically, highlighting the perceived hypocrisy.

The DEM Party official concluded that his party does not take Kılıçdaroğlu's statements seriously. He reiterated that the party's Co-Chairperson had already made necessary statements on the matter. "A person who does not regret that our comrade, our friend, our leader Selahattin Demirtaş has been in prison for 10 years is not a person we take seriously," Temelli stated, effectively dismissing Kılıçdaroğlu's political significance on this issue.