CHP announces decision for Extraordinary Congress

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel appeared before members of the press in Saraçhane. Özel announced that they have decided to hold an Extraordinary Congress in 15 days. Özel stated, "We expect CHP delegates to head to the polls on April 6."

CHP sources reported that they had received strong intelligence regarding the potential appointment of a trustee to the party, which is preparing for a primary election on March 23, and that the decision for an extraordinary congress was made for this reason.

Regarding the congress decision, Özel said:

"We are determined to hold the election. If he is arrested, he is our candidate. He is our candidate until the day of the official application; if no official application is made, all CHP members are Ekrem İmamoğlu. We said one of us will enter and win the election. As long as we determine the candidate. A new attempt to prevent the designation of that candidate... We have seen these preparations by those who are trying to prevent Sunday's election by appointing a trustee to the CHP and those who are writing about it. I would like to announce with great pleasure a decision we made today against this, and an application we have made that has entered the official records.

Based on the authority granted to me by our party charter in my capacity as chairman, we declare that we have decided to hold an extraordinary congress in 15 days, and that by taking the party to an extraordinary congress, we are cutting off the path for trustee attempts. We are taking CHP delegates to the polls on April 6. In this process, they will refresh their will in defiance of those who, out of ambition and passion, even dare to appoint a trustee to the party founded by Atatürk just to prevent one person from becoming a presidential candidate."

Speaking about the primary election to be held on March 23, Özel used the following expressions:

"The real intention of the judicial harassment against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and our mayors through the judiciary is to prevent İmamoğlu's presidential candidacy. Political parties hold their congresses and the results are finalized. Those who have been specially assigned and want to stir up the CHP are conducting a secret investigation. They are finding lunatics who do not befit the CHP and taking their statements. They did everything to prevent this during the process where they would declare their support for Ekrem İmamoğlu, who will bring spring to Turkey on March 23. Four days before, they went and detained Mr. İmamoğlu. The goal is to stop the campaign and prevent this election from taking place."

'I AM A CANDIDATE'

CHP leader Özgür Özel, continuing his remarks, stated that he would be a candidate at the congress, saying, "There is no obstacle to candidates emerging in extraordinary congresses... If a friend of ours wants to put forward a claim, all democratic paths are open. I am a candidate at the congress."

In the CHP, allegations that some delegates were bribed during the congress where Özgür Özel was elected chairman were being investigated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. This allegation also came to the agenda with the investigation file in which Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was detained. Within the scope of this file, there were discussions about the possibility of a trustee being appointed to the CHP administration.

DECISION DELIVERED TO THE DISTRICT ELECTION BOARD

The CHP's decision for an extraordinary congress has been delivered to the District Election Board.

The following statements were included in the submitted petition:

"In accordance with Article 48 of our charter; the 21st Extraordinary Congress of the Republican People's Party will convene on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 10:00 AM at the Nazım Hikmet Culture Center (Yenimahalle) in Ankara to discuss the agenda items written below. If a majority cannot be reached in the first meeting, the second meeting will be held on the same date and place at 1:00 PM with the same agenda.

Submitted for your information.

AGENDA:

Opening

Moment of silence - National Anthem

Election of the Congress Presidential Board

Opening speech by the Chairman

Election of the Chairman, election of full and alternate members of the Party Assembly, and full and alternate members of the High Disciplinary Board

Closing"

Details are coming...

News Source: 12punto