Turkish opposition leader slams ‘Caesar-like’ private summit

ANKARA

MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli (L) and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu schmooze during the reception. AA photo

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli has harshly criticized a private meeting held during the reception for the opening day of the new legislative year, likening Erdoğan to Roman Emperor Julius Caesar.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and First Lady Emine Erdoğan moved to a private room after a brief chat with reporters during the reception held in Parliament on Oct. 1. Erdoğan and his wife were accompanied by Parliamentary Speaker Cemil Çiçek, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, and their spouses.

The group spent around 15 minutes in the room, and Erdoğan and the First Lady left the reception following the private meeting.

“I would have left the reception if I were not here as a representative of the nation,” Bahçeli told reporters as the private mini summit went on.

“It is not nice to meet in a private room just like Caesar would have done. They have two bodyguards at the door to prevent anyone from entering. I have never seen such a scandal,” he added.

The MHP leader protested Erdoğan by turning his back on the president as he left the reception.