Kılıçdaroğlu to Visit Demirtaş, Stands by Vote to Lift Immunities
Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, recently appointed CHP leader, stated he does not regret his past vote to lift parliamentary immunities.
- Kılıçdaroğlu is planning to visit Selahattin Demirtaş, a prominent Kurdish politician, in Edirne Prison.
- This planned visit follows a court decision that invalidated the previous CHP leadership's election, leading to Kılıçdaroğlu's appointment.
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who was recently appointed as the leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) following a court's annulment of the previous leadership's election, has stated he does not regret his past vote to lift parliamentary immunities.
Yes, we did (vote to lift immunities).
During a television appearance, Kılıçdaroğlu responded to a reminder that Selahattin Demirtaş, a prominent Kurdish politician, was imprisoned after the immunity lifting. Kılıçdaroğlu asserted that Demirtaş already faced majority support and terrorism charges. When pressed about his vote for the removal of all immunities, he confirmed it, but maintained "no" when asked if he regretted it.
No (I do not regret it).
Necdet Saraç, a member of Kılıçdaroğlu's inner circle, announced that the new CHP leader intends to visit Selahattin Demirtaş in Edirne Prison in the coming days. Saraç commented on the significance of this planned visit, suggesting that Kılıçdaroğlu's subsequent statements would be noteworthy and advised paying attention to those who might oppose him.
In the coming days, Kemal Bey will visit Mr. Selahattin Demirtaş in Edirne Prison. You continue to laugh. We have seen those who laugh in the face of Kemal Bey in the past. I think we should be careful.
Saraç had previously described the court's decision to annul the CHP leadership election as a "political decision" driven by the ruling party, rather than a legal one. This context adds another layer to Kılıçdaroğlu's actions and statements as he navigates his new role within the party.
It is a decision that is not legal, but political, a decision that the government wants.
Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.