Özel called it a 'declaration of war': Roadmap determined at CHP PM meeting

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel met with Party Assembly members the other day to discuss his party's roadmap in the face of the government's recently increasing pressure.

"WE WAKE UP TO A NEW OPERATION EVERY MORNING"

According to a report by Cumhuriyet, investigations into CHP Youth Branch President Cem Aydın and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu were brought up during the meeting. Citing these situations as examples, party officials stated, “We wake up every morning to a new operation against one of our party members. For this reason, we cannot say that we have a single roadmap or a finalized calendar regarding our decisions.”

In this context, it was noted that Özel also made comments at the meeting, saying, “Difficult days await us, lawlessness is increasing every day, but we will fight. We will lead the people.”

2025 WILL BE AN ELECTION YEAR

Özel's words, “What the AKP is doing is a blatant declaration of war. We see the declaration of war and we accept it,” were interpreted by party officials as a message directed at their main goal. In line with this, they emphasized that they aim to turn 2025 into an election year.

Party members stated that they want to follow a cool-headed strategy, explaining, “We want to carry out a process that is grounded and has resonance in society. For this reason, we prefer to make a flexible plan rather than a rigid roadmap. Because there are too many uncertainties in the process. We will have reflexes against the operations carried out every day, but at the same time, we will have a main line focused on early elections.”

‘NO CALENDAR DETERMINED FOR CANDIDACY’

Party officials stated that they are considering moving up the program convention planned for November for the new program, which will serve as the CHP's election manifesto.

Stating that “The government is carrying out its operations within its own agenda,” party officials added, “Instead of responding to that, let us first determine our own program. Thus, let us clearly explain to people what we will do when we come to power. Then we will move on to a candidate determination process. The method for determining this candidate will also be discussed.”

Underlining that there is no clear calendar regarding the announcement of candidacy, CHP members said, “Everyone had different suggestions in the meetings we held on this subject. We will first determine a method. Methods such as 'We can ask the party members,' which our Chairman has previously mentioned, are also being evaluated. However, there is no finalized calendar on this matter yet. Our goal is to determine a method where everyone is focused on the election and no one is left behind, without causing resentment within the party.”

News Source: 12punto