Turkish musician withdraws song from Kılıçdaroğlu amid CHP turmoil

A rift has emerged within Turkey's Republican People's Party (CHP) following internal statute debates and a decision allowing Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu to remain as party leader. This internal turmoil has now spilled over into the art world, with prominent musician Ali Altay publicly withdrawing a song he had previously gifted to the party.

Altay's decision follows similar criticism from singer Sabahat Akkiraz. The musician announced his withdrawal of the iconic election song, originally titled "Hak-Hukuk-Adalet" (Right-Law-Justice), through a pointed social media post directly targeting Kılıçdaroğlu. Altay stated he created the song in 2020 at the party's request and offered it freely for the nation's future, including use in the 2023 presidential campaign.

"Today, I openly state that due to your actions contrary to democracy, law, and the will of the people, I do not permit the use of my song 'Hak-Hukuk-Adalet' in any of your works or on digital platforms," Altay declared, warning of legal action if his demand is not met. He sharply criticized Kılıçdaroğlu's leadership, referring to him as an "ex-leader who has made losing a hobby" and stating that he left behind only "broken dreams."

Altay also apologized to the voters he persuaded to support the CHP, to the party's founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and to the Turkish people. He concluded by reaffirming his faith in the current CHP leader Özgür Özel and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, praising İmamoğlu's electoral successes and Özel's leadership in the recent local elections where the CHP emerged as the leading party for the first time in 47 years.

“

2019 yılında İBB seçimlerini 2 kere kazanarak umutları yeniden filizlendirmiş İBB Başkanımız ve Cumhurbaşkanı adayımız Ekrem İmamoğlu, 2023 yılı kurultayında genel başkan seçilmiş ve seçimlerden sadece 4 ay sonra yapılan yerel seçimlerde CHP’nin 47 yıl sonra 1. parti olarak çıkmasında büyük bir başarıya imza atmış genç, çalışkan ve geçmişte sizin de en yakın çalışma arkadaşınızdan CHP genel başkanımız Özgür Özel’e inancımız tamdır.