Forcing the CHP into a 'premature birth'…

The most sacred pain in life is the pain of childbirth. In the end, besides sleepless nights, a lifetime of happiness awaits you. "Birth pain" also metaphorically describes the hardships experienced before new beginnings. The Republican People's Party (CHP) is currently going through a similar process. The CHP, which emerged as the leading party in the 2024 local elections, is gripped by the pains of negotiation… Reading the local election results as a message from the voters saying, "Solve our problems by finding a path to consensus without further polarization," CHP Chairman Özgür Özel first met with AK Party Chairman Erdoğan and then with MHP Chairman Bahçeli.

To put it bluntly, without beating around the bush, I believe it is necessary to grant Chairman Özel some credit and opportunity regarding these negotiations. At least until we see the course and results of these talks... Since he has made such a decision, Özel has the right as Chairman to exercise such an initiative. Of course, the planning of this negotiation period—that is, how long it will last—is also very important. It should not be forgotten that there is an opposition electorate whose patience is much more exhausted compared to previous years. We will live and see.

As for the new constitution discussions… When it comes to the constitution, there is a shared concern, even a caveat: "You cannot make a constitution with those who do not abide by the constitution." This general opinion stems from the AK Party's unsuccessful track record in previous periods regarding the constitution. Considering that there is no draft constitution from the AK Party on the table, it is not exactly known what will be discussed. It is a very risky, ambiguous business.

Ultimately, if injustices like the Gezi Park trial or the February 28 process are to be overcome through negotiation, then let them be discussed. If a result that benefits retirees and the country can be achieved from these talks, then let them be discussed. However, care must be taken not to let the coming days and months be drowned in a constitutional debate through these talks. Furthermore, one should not give the impression of being a part of or eager to be a partner of the exhausted People's Alliance (Cumhur İttifakı) in every respect. It is a delicate balance… For now, it is useful to give Chairman Özgür Özel time and opportunity to implement the strategy he has in mind. But most importantly, it is useful to trust. The glue of this process is "trust."

A premature birth brings trouble…

Speaking of trust, in the meantime, the CHP was suddenly forced into a premature birth. The debate over who the CHP's presidential candidate will be was placed on the public agenda by the pro-government media through forced and pushy discussions. The traumas of 2023 were recalled. It was made to look as if there was internal strife within the CHP. Nerves were frayed, and patience was tested. That was until the statement made by Chairman Özgür Özel at the CHP Group Meeting: "We will not repeat the mistakes we made in the past. Everyone should be sure that as the Chairman of the CHP, I will not make the mistake of imposing my own candidacy, causing the CHP to miss a historic opportunity, or giving another chance to the waning power of some." With this statement, this issue was dismissed. For now, of course.

It is worth noting that the ruling party's entourage and media specialize in this subject. After the 2019 local elections, we also spent years talking about the "who will be the candidate" issue. So what should the CHP do? While not entering into these discussions under any circumstances, it must first determine its method for selecting a candidate, and then, based on the assumption that the country will transition to a Parliamentary System, it must definitely work on a "Trio" formula. A formula in which Chairman Özgür Özel, Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, and Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş are also stakeholders. We can say in advance that solutions that exclude any name will be painful. And most importantly, it is necessary to build trust until the day these issues are discussed. Trust needs to be built among the voters, within the party public, and most importantly, among Özel, İmamoğlu, and Yavaş, that the voters' expectations will be met during the candidacy process and that the most democratic election will be held. Until the days when we will write and talk about these more extensively, I will leave this much noted for now.