EU socialists reveal ‘need for modern CHP’

ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency

Kılıçdaroğlu (L) attends European Parliament Socialists’ meeting with EU group socialist leader Swoboda. DHA photo

A modern and progressive Republican People’s Party (CHP) is needed, the president of the group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats at the European Parliament said yesterday, on the sidelines of a meeting also attended by Turkey’s main opposition party. 

“Every party needs to accord with new conditions and situations,” said Hannes Swoboda. “Thus, my personal opinion and my group’s idea is that: We need a modern, progressive CHP. Perhaps it should not be attached to a line that was correct 20 years ago, but in harmony with today. What we need now is that it adopts this modern attitude.”

CHP, public not aware of talks

The EU group socialist leader also confirmed his trust in CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu in terms of carrying the party forward. 

Swoboda said he was pleased to hear an open expression of determination by the CHP about a solution to the Kurdish issue. 

He also said that he had shared concerns over developments in democracy and minority rights in Turkey. 

For his part, Kılıçdaroğlu said in an address to the group that his party was not being adequately informed about the Kurdish issue resolution process by the government. 

Speaking at the joint press conference with Swoboda after the meeting, Kılıçdaroğlu said he told the group that neither his party nor the public was aware of “how the talks were being continued and what the bargaining issues were.” 

However, he also expressed tentative support for an eventual resolution. “Despite everything, I have said that Turkey would benefit if the process ends in success,” he said.