Poet tells opposition leader Kılıçdaroğlu: 'I'll quit poetry, you quit politics'

Poet Şükrü Erbaş has launched a scathing critique of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of Turkey's main opposition party, urging him to abandon politics. The commentary, published in the BirGün newspaper, comes as the Republican People's Party (CHP) grapples with internal disputes following a decision on "absolute voidness."

In an article titled "Another futile writing for Mr. Kemal… Shall I quit poetry, and you quit politics, what do you say?", Erbaş did not hold back. He accused Kılıçdaroğlu of making the party effectively "CHP" (a derogatory acronym) and questioned the source of his support, calling him a "worthless narcissist."

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Let's not commit suicide, but shall I quit poetry, and you quit politics, what do you say?

Erbaş invoked a quote attributed to Cemal Süreya, a renowned Turkish poet and Kılıçdaroğlu's compatriot, which suggested a joint suicide pact with a friend to rid the country of certain political figures. The poet directly addressed Kılıçdaroğlu with a similar, albeit metaphorical, proposition: "Let's not commit suicide, but shall I quit poetry, and you quit politics, what do you say?"

The poet's sharp words also touched upon broader societal issues, questioning Kılıçdaroğlu's engagement with pressing concerns such as the plight of Kurds, students, retirees, the unemployed, women, and the state of education, health, culture, and justice, as well as hunger. Erbaş implied that Kılıçdaroğlu's focus was misplaced, leading the country away from democracy.

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Even those who don't like you have started to be ashamed; you enter and leave an empty building, what kind of pleasure is this, what kind of 'exalted' duty! You finally made the party truly 'CHP'! Oh, worthless narcissist!