New claim regarding CHP's presidential candidate: 'If his candidacy is blocked...'

The lawsuit filed against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is seen as the CHP's presidential candidate, and the ongoing judicial processes have triggered a search for new candidates within his party.

According to a report by Sözcü, if the judiciary blocks İmamoğlu's presidential candidacy, the name of Özgür Özel has begun to emerge as the natural candidate within the CHP.

A SIGNAL OF CANDIDACY FROM ÖZGÜR ÖZEL

Drawing attention with his remarks at a rally in Sultanbeyli, CHP Parliamentary Group Deputy Chairman Özgür Özel made the following statements regarding President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan:

“From now on, I am ready to fight you politically at the ballot box. I am ready in the coming spring, in the snow, and in the winter. If you become a candidate, I am ready to compete with you.”

These words were interpreted by the party base as the “first signal for candidacy.” It is stated in CHP circles that Özel's remarks are seen as the first step toward a presidential bid.

It is also suggested that due to the investigative pressures being applied to Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş, Özgür Özel could become the CHP's natural candidate. Sources within the party state that Yavaş could also face serious legal proceedings in the event of a potential candidacy.

CHP HAS ESTABLISHED A LEGAL TEAM

The CHP has formed a team of legal experts regarding the legal pressures on Ekrem İmamoğlu. This team aims to prepare their defense by highlighting the contradictions present in the indictment.

It is stated that within the CHP, only legal expert members of parliament will comment on the trial process. This step is seen as the party's strategy to defend İmamoğlu's legal rights.

ÖZGÜR ÖZEL'S REACTION TO THE GOVERNMENT

Addressing claims made by media outlets close to the government regarding the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality at the opening of the Kabataş Transfer Center, Özgür Özel stated the following:

“I expect an apology from the editors-in-chief. I openly expect an apology from Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who organized all of this. You have violated people's rights.”

Reacting sharply to the government's media manipulation, Özel said that the news reports specifically targeting İmamoğlu and the CHP do not reflect the truth.

Özgür Özel also reacted to the secret witnesses Meşe and İlke, who are an important part of the case. Stating that the testimonies of these witnesses were contradictory, Özel said:

“The statements are identical down to the last comma, despite an 8-month gap. This means the words have no reality; they are looking for someone to own the slander.”

Calling on the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK), Özel claimed the process was a setup and expressed his reaction by saying, “We will complain about you to the nation because of this setup.”