CHP officials issue statement on 'by-election'
It has been learned that the CHP, which is preparing to hold a major rally in İzmir on May 19, will continue its rallies during the summer in cities seen as AKP strongholds. CHP officials also spoke about the 'by-election' formula.
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The Republican People's Party (CHP) continues its rallies, which it launched with the demand for freedom for Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, who has been imprisoned in Silivri Prison since March 23, and for early elections.
CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, who was attacked while leaving the funeral ceremony for Sırrı Süreyya Önder at the AKM, had stated in his speech at his party's parliamentary group meeting that the rally schedule would continue.
In line with this, the CHP, which held a rally in Beyazıt Square, will have Van as its stop today. The rally at Van City Square will begin at 12:00.
CHP leader Özgür Özel will be in his hometown of Manisa on May 13 for the anniversary of the Soma mining disaster. Meanwhile, eyes within the CHP have turned to the rally planned for İzmir on May 19.
BAYBURT, ERZURUM, KAYSERİ...
According to a report by Cumhuriyet, CHP officials stated that the rally in İzmir is a major message. Noting that the next phase is in the planning stage, CHP sources recalled Chairman Özgür Özel's emphasis that "We will continue to be on the streets," and conveyed that they are considering continuing rallies in provinces seen as AKP strongholds, as they did in Yozgat and Konya. In this context, it is stated that rallies could be held in provinces such as Bayburt, Erzurum, and Kayseri.
BY-ELECTION SCENARIOS
Speaking about the "by-election" formula asked of Özel during a Sözcü TV broadcast, officials emphasized, "The priority is to force the government into early elections through the rallies we are holding."
It is stated that a by-election is a possibility that has been discussed within the party for a long time under different scenarios. Reminding that this possibility was discussed even before İmamoğlu's imprisonment, CHP members commented, "A by-election could be forced in two ways. Either the number of 30 deputies required for a by-election is reached through the resignation of deputies in metropolitan cities, or a by-election is ensured to be held in just one province. If 30 deputies are reached, the support of the People's Alliance in Parliament is required for an election decision. If they avoid this support, it means they are also avoiding the ballot box, and there would be a political price for this. However, at a time when constitutional amendments are being discussed, a decrease in the number of opposition deputies would also be risky."
Evaluating a by-election to be held in a single province, party sources assessed, "There is no province where all deputies are from the CHP. But if a by-election opportunity is provided in some way, it could be ensured that Mr. Ekrem leaves prison as a deputy. However, with the Can Atalay example in front of us, we do not know how realistic this would be."
Party members nevertheless noted that, as Özel stated, "every possibility is being considered."
CAMPAIGN AND OFFICES
CHP party organizations also state that they attach importance to the signature campaign being carried out for İmamoğlu and the Presidential Working Offices that will be opened in the coming period. In this context, it is said that some provincial chairs are already looking for locations for offices to be opened in different provinces. It was stated that the office in Ankara will be opened at the location of the CHP Party School.
The CHP, which has reached approximately 15 million signatures in the signature campaign, aims to increase this number much further before the İzmir rally.