Erdoğan’s words on failed coup divisive: Main opposition CHP

ANKARA

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s remarks on the anniversary of the July 15, 2016, have created rifts within the society, according to a senior member of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).

“Those who call for national unity against coups continue you divide the nation by targeting [CHP leader Kemal] Kılıçdaroğlu,” said CHP lawmaker Gürsel Tekin one day after the country marked the first anniversary of the coup bid.

Speaking to Doğan TV Ankara Representative Hakan Çelik on CNNTürk on July 16, Tekin said Kılıçdaroğlu did not attend a ceremony held at the parliament to mark the anniversary after the ceremony program was changed three times in a day.

“They prevented Kılıçdaroğlu from addressing the nation by banning his speech at the ceremony,” Tekin said.

The refused to attend a special meeting organized to mark the first year anniversary of the July 15, 2016, failed coup attempt, citing the removal of Kılıçdaroğlu’s speeches from the program on July 15. 

Changes were made in the program on July 15 and Parliament Speaker İsmail Kahraman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gave speeches only. 

CHP lawmakers also criticized the lack of their pictures in a July 15 photo album distributed in the parliament.

The main opposition’s decision was asked to Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, who said that “it’s the party’s own decision.”

“They change their minds five times a day,” Yıldırım told journalists, referring to previous statements made by CHP on attending the meeting. 

CHP spokesperson Bülent Tezcan replied to Yıldırım’s comments, saying that it’s “Parliament Speaker Kahraman who changes his mind every five minutes.”