Main opposition in same boat as terror-supporting HDP: PM Yıldırım

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) is siding with terrorism because it is opposing constitutional amendments that will vastly increase President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's powers, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım has said.

"Who is saying 'no' to these [constitutional] changes? The PKK [outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party] and FETÖ [Fethullahist Terror Organization]. They are terrorists and of course we say 'yes' to what they say 'no.' Who else is making a campaign for 'no?' The HDP [Peoples' Democratic Party] and the CHP. It seems that the CHP has boarded the same boat as the HDP, which takes its strength from the terror organization," Yıldırım said in an address to his parliamentary group on Feb. 7. 

Yıldırım and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) are about to launch a campaign for the referendum in which the constitutional amendments are expected to go to a vote in April. While the leadership of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) supports the move, two other opposition parties, the CHP and HDP, are dead set against the changes. 

Yıldırım criticized the CHP for not supporting the move and for standing with "marginal groups" like the HDP, FETÖ and the PKK. 

"The CHP prefers to give the same picture as marginal groups," Yıldırım said. "We listed the HDP, FETÖ and PKK as the reason why we are saying 'yes' to these changes. But the answer came from the CHP. You can't win the hearts of the people by allying with these groups." 

The CHP must realize this state of affairs and use the referendum as an opportunity to reverse this, the prime minister said. 

Not life or death matter 

Urging the public opinion not to fall into the trap of those who want to make provocations...