Details of the triple summit in CHP revealed: Yavaş read that article

While discussions regarding presidential candidacy continue within the CHP, Chairman Özgür Özel, Ankara Metropolitan Mayor (ABB) Mansur Yavaş, and Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor (İBB) Ekrem İmamoğlu came together in a critical meeting last night.

During the meeting, which lasted approximately two and a half hours, the candidate selection process and primary election issues were discussed. The development that left its mark on the meeting was Mansur Yavaş reading an article written by journalist Ali Taş in the Antalya Körfez newspaper.

DETAILS OF THE ARTICLE REACHED

In Ali Taş's article dated February 9, titled "Gentleman's Agreement and the Anxiety Threshold," it was emphasized that the CHP's presidential candidate and the method of determination have become a major subject of debate.

In his article, Taş stated that the way the CHP manages its candidacy process is being intensely debated both within the party and in the public eye, drawing attention to the critical meeting.

The most striking part of the article was the proposal by former Antalya Metropolitan Mayor and former Antalya MP Hasan Subaşı. Subaşı evaluated the election strategy of Mansur Yavaş and Ekrem İmamoğlu, who stand out as the two strong candidates of the CHP, from a different perspective.

Subaşı used the following expressions in his proposal:

For Yavaş and İmamoğlu to enter the election as separate candidates, thus ensuring that opposition votes reach the highest possible level.

For the candidate who receives fewer votes in the first round to withdraw in the second round and give full support to the other, and for a vice-presidential offer to be made within the framework of a "gentleman's agreement."

He argued that this method would prevent a possible candidacy crisis within the CHP and preserve intra-party unity.

According to Subaşı's assessment, both mayors believe that the election can be won with their own candidacy:

Mansur Yavaş claims that he is ahead in public opinion polls and that he can also receive votes from right-wing voters.

Ekrem İmamoğlu, on the other hand, thinks that he is strong in the Black Sea and eastern-southeastern regions and that he can win the primary election with the support of the party organization.

For this reason, it is predicted that if one of the methods of primary election or public opinion polling is preferred in the candidate selection process, the other candidate will object.

At the meeting held under the leadership of Özgür Özel, it was emphasized that the CHP must act in unity during the candidate selection process. It was discussed that if a consensus cannot be reached between the two mayors, a gentleman's agreement as proposed by Subaşı could be put into effect.

Accordingly:

The two strong names of the CHP could run as separate candidates.

The candidate who receives fewer votes in the first round could withdraw in the second round and support the other candidate.

Thus, without splitting the opposition votes, they could unite around a single candidate in the second round.

This proposal has come to the agenda as a new formula to prevent a possible fragmentation within the CHP. However, it is stated that no clear decision emerged from the meeting. It is expressed that Özgür Özel will continue to manage the process and that a new meeting could be held in the coming days.