Ali Mahir Başarır says CHP will free Turkey from palace influence

CHP Mersin deputy Ali Mahir Başarır addressed supporters before a CHP "People’s Meeting" in Lüleburgaz, Kırklareli, declaring that the party will "free the nation from the palace and its extensions" and that "good will win, bad will lose." He said he felt targeted by the palace for his removal from the party’s parliamentary group deputy post, noting, "Beni sarayın ilamıyla CHP Grup Başkanvekilliği görevinden uzaklaştırıldığını düşünüyorum. Hiç önemli değil." Başarır also appealed directly to CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, asking, "Kemal Bey, buraya gelebilir misin? Şurada çay içebilir misin?" The High Disciplinary Board earlier stripped Başarır and another MP of their group deputy titles, a move reflected on the parliament’s website.