Özgür Özel's 'early election' statement: 'I think Erdoğan will struggle to last 1-2 years'

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel made assessments regarding the current agenda.

Speaking to Yavuz Oğhan from Gazete Pencere, Özel delivered important messages on many topics, including the Sinan Ateş murder, the summit he held with President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and the issue of tax justice with the ministers he will meet in the coming days.

Highlights from the interview are as follows:

'WHAT NORMALIZATION MEANS...'

Yavuz Oğhan: Who is against this normalization?

Özgür Özel: There are some within the MHP who are uncomfortable with this normalization. In fact, anyone in the MHP who does not want the Sinan Ateş murder to be clarified is uncomfortable with normalization. Because normalization means not only politicians talking to each other in the country, but also not hindering the administration of justice.

Yavuz Oğhan: You are talking about the rules being followed...

Özel: The rules being followed, the law being followed. Unfortunately, the AKP-MHP relationship, as they sometimes say, was established on the street on July 15. We finally couldn't take it anymore and said it yesterday. There is still advice on the MHP website for citizens not to go out on the streets on July 15. Let me also say this here. Parliament opened upon my call. We went to parliament. The first ones who came from the MHP said to us, 'Brother, what are you doing here? You dragged us along with you.' Because they had no intention of coming to parliament at that time.

'EARLY ELECTION COMMENT: 1-2 YEARS...'

Yavuz Oğhan: Three economic officials, namely Yalçın Karatepe, Selin Sayek Böke, and Volkan Demir, will go to Mehmet Şimşek. Do you have any concerns that the CHP will become a part of the economic crisis there?

Özel: Erdoğan says; '4 years without elections.' There is no parliamentary arithmetic for the opposition to hold an early election immediately. Erdoğan says; 4 years. I think he will struggle to last 1-2 years. But these people are in no condition to spend another holiday. This is my approach here. We will meet for this. Otherwise, why would I be a partner in a 22-year economic program? The MHP is a partner, and I said; don't push your partner onto us.

'THERE IS A MESSAGE TO THE AKP'

Yavuz Oğhan: Is this how you read Devlet Bahçeli's statement that shook the People's Alliance?

Özgür Özel: There is loyalty, there is a threat, there is support, there is an expression of resentment. There is everything in the text. Let everyone read it from wherever they want. There are heavy Russian novels like this. You turn the page and read it. There is a message to the AK Party. There is a message to its administrators. There is a message to Erdoğan. There is a message to his own base. But on the other hand, he says, 'Watch out, we haven't burned the bridges. Even if you leave us, we won't leave you.' So there is also political Platonism involved. Actually, our relationship is bad, but there is also a 'turn to me, no one can separate us' aspect to it. Everyone should look after their alliance.

Yavuz Oğhan: There are criticisms of your attitude. What kind of opposition party are you? People say, 'Put pressure, take action'...

Özgür Özel: If an early election is talked about on the street, I will not remain indifferent to it. I said this. We will also demand an early election. But we shouldn't fall into such a situation either. Citizens have election fatigue. Polls also show that the majority of voters do not want an early election. If it turned out otherwise, I would demand an early election tomorrow.

'BAHÇELİ'S AREA OF EXPERTISE'

Yavuz Oğhan: Will these polls determine your attitude regarding an early election?

Özgür Özel: A bit of polls, and the street makes it clear.

Yavuz Oğhan: You said '1-2 years' for the life of the government. You are already predicting an early election...

Özgür Özel: That's how I see it. Especially with this mindset, this disregard for the law. If you continue with this mindset, another major crisis will erupt, and when that crisis erupts, no one will be able to stand in its way. Then an early election will be inevitable. Well, I don't know if Mr. Devlet will call for an early election these days. I don't think that's very likely. But that is his area of expertise. Leaving alliance partners halfway and calling for an early election is in the MHP's past practice. But we will continue to listen to the street. When the day comes, we will also demand an early election. As important as demanding an early election is winning the early election that will be held and paving the way for Turkey.

News Source: 12punto