The behind-the-scenes of Özgür Özel's DEM Party visit revealed: Was an agreement reached for cooperation?

In the local elections İYİ Partywhose cooperation proposal was rejected CHP Chairman Özgür Özel yesterday (December 13) visited the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM). visited. 

DEM Party HeadquartersAt the meeting, Özel was welcomed by Co-Chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan who greeted him.

TIMING OF THE VISIT DREW ATTENTION

It was noted that Özel's visit took place just before the DEM Party's party assembly meeting this weekend, where the party, which tends to enter local elections alone, will discuss the issue of fielding candidates in all 81 provinces.

According to a report by Cumhuriyet, the leaders also sent messages to each other with the statements they made before the meeting. CHP leader Özel stated, "I am not closed to an electoral alliance with any party." he said. DEM Party Co-Chair Bakırhan also recalled that they did not field candidates in metropolitan cities during the 2019 local elections, "We are updating the 'make them lose-make them win' formula that determined the election results in 2019 with a 'win-win' formula" he stated. While these statements were on the agenda, the leaders held a joint press conference after the meeting.   

'OUR DIALOGUE WILL CONTINUE'

Stating that they discussed many different issues during the meeting, such as the trustees appointed to DEM Party municipalities, Bakırhan said, "We talked about the issues Turkey is experiencing. The opposition and political parties solve problems through dialogue. In a period where we are experiencing intense problems, the opposition needs more negotiation. I hope this negotiation process will continue in the coming days" he said.

CHP leader Özel also emphasized that he was making a courtesy visit and "Dialogue between parties is one of the cornerstones for the country's democracy and social peace. They had held their congress just before us. A congratulatory visit from our party had not taken place. I made that visit today. We expressed our mutual wishes for success. While we were together, we did what we needed to do. We evaluated Turkey, the world, and the upcoming process. We held a very productive and constructive meeting. Our mutual discussions will continue in the coming periods. We believe these meetings will contribute to Turkey's democracy." he stated.

'CO-CHAIR' REMARK DREW ATTENTION

DEM Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğullarıaddressing Özel at the beginning of her speech as "I felt like calling you the co-chair of the CHP" also drew attention. Hatimoğulları, "We extend our best wishes to him from here. While we were together, we evaluated the political process Turkey is going through and the democracy crisis. It is something we long for that all political parties should keep the path of dialogue open to discuss Turkey's problems. Political parties do not have rich experience in this regard. Turkey longs for such a picture. We hope that we will make progress on this issue." he stated.

'THE DOOR TO COOPERATION HAS BEEN OPENED'

Evaluating the meeting, the DEM Party side says that the visit Özel paid to their headquarters and the image they presented together are valuable in the face of the "transparency" expectations they presented for a possible alliance or local cooperation. Reminding that a tendency to field candidates in all provinces has emerged within the DEM Party Central Executive Board (MYK), party sources point out that "with Özel's visit, the door has been reopened to cooperation and alliance negotiations." Within the party, the view is conveyed that "with Özel's visit, new possibilities have come to the table. These will be evaluated." it is reported.

PARTIES WILL WORK SEPARATELY

According to information obtained, both parties will first conduct studies within their own boards regarding local cooperation and the methods for it. 

DEM Party sources state that as a result of these studies, which will be conducted on a provincial basis, the possibility of the two parties' boards working together could be brought to the agenda. However, it is noted that this issue will also first be evaluated by the party's authorized bodies. On the other hand, while it is stated that the co-chairmen will convey the details of the visit to the party management, it is also noted that the issue will be discussed at the DEM Party Assembly meeting to be held on December 16. While no decision regarding the local elections is expected to emerge from the Assembly meeting, “it is anticipated that a trend will certainly emerge and that authority may be granted to the Central Executive Board (MYK) and the co-chairmen on this matter.” is foreseen.

THERE IS EXPECTATION IN THE FIELD

DEM Partyevaluating the visit made to The CHP side also emphasizes that Özel did not go to the DEM Party with a proposal for a general alliance covering all of Turkey. Sources stating that no specific municipality name, province, or mayoral candidate was brought up during the meeting conveyed that an assessment was made regarding the possibility of parties working together specifically in certain regions where local organizations might reach an agreement. It was learned that the boards of the two parties will examine metropolitan areas, primarily Istanbul and Ankara, city by city. It was also noted that an exchange of views took place during the meeting regarding the necessity for the entire opposition to cooperate to prevent the AKP and MHP from winning the elections again. 

Party officials, stating that the CHP's goal is to test the possibility of cooperation with all parties until the very last day, 

added that they are keeping all channels open. "When our deputies went to the field, they explained that there was such an expectation among the grassroots. Instead of a blanket alliance, one could act according to these expectations at the local level. This is not just for the DEM Party; if party bases have reached an agreement locally, a cooperation specific to that location can be discussed for all parties, including the IYI Party. We believe that cooperation talks can be held until election day with all parties that do not want the rent-seeking order to return." he assessed. 

THE GOAL OF UNITY AT THE BALLOT BOX

With CHP's visits to the IYI Party, Muharrem İnce, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, and the DEM Party, "even if there is no formal cooperation, uniting all voters at the ballot box"it was stated that they acted in accordance with the goal of. Party staff "are trying to win back not only the DEM Party voters but also the segments within the CHP that remain resentful by meeting with figures like Muharrem İnce and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, and are also trying to win over IYI Party voters by maintaining their courtesy toward the IYI Party" emphasize. Party members, who say that a ballot box alliance where different voters gather under the CHP can be achieved in this way, state that the possibility of cooperation remains alive in this manner.

News Source: 12punto