Turkey: CHP reprimands deputy over criticism of leader

by Esin Isik

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has reprimanded one of its lawmakers Friday over his criticism of party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

Fikri Saglar, who is a leading figure of the opposition, was quoted by the Aksam daily as saying: "Kemal Kilicdaroglu is not allowing any decisions to be taken in the party assembly. We discuss things for 6-7 hours but he gives his decision according to what is whispered in his ear."

The Mersin deputy had gone before the High Disciplinary Board on May 7.

On Friday, the high disciplinary board, under the presidency of Artvin MP Ugur Bayraktutan, reprimanded Saglar with a warning, in accordance with Article 70 under “Party Offenses” of the CHP’s bylaws.

The warning can be followed by a temporary dismissal or a permanent expulsion.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu has led the CHP since 2010. At last year’s party congress, Kilicdaroglu was the only candidate to vie for party leadership. He received 990 votes from 1,238 assembly members.