Özgür Özel makes statement regarding Mansur Yavaş's potential candidacy

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel made important statements regarding the country's agenda. Addressing the presidential candidacy discussions within the party, Özel emphasized that they have maintained a clear and determined stance regarding Ekrem İmamoğlu’s candidacy.

Evaluating the possibility of İmamoğlu’s candidacy being blocked by a diploma issue or other legal processes, Özel stated that this would clearly mean "a product of a coup" and expressed, "Recep Tayyip Erdoğan should see the cost of running away from a rival and blocking their candidacy."

Speaking to Ayşe Sayın from BBC Turkish, Özel stated that the situation would not change if the government insisted on this path, saying, "If he still keeps Ekrem İmamoğlu inside under these conditions, then a candidate who will defeat Erdoğan will be found."

RESPONSE TO CANDIDACY QUESTIONS

Responding to questions directed at him regarding presidential candidacy, Özel expressed that he has no personal expectation of candidacy.

Reiterating that it is unacceptable for İmamoğlu to be pushed out of the race through potential obstacles, Özel emphasized that this does not align with democracy, saying, "First of all, let Erdoğan see the cost of running away from a rival and blocking their candidacy. 'Let me put my rival in jail and win the election,' this is unacceptable. This is not a sub-Saharan country or anything like that."

While repeating his words, "If he still keeps Ekrem İmamoğlu inside under these conditions, then a candidate who will defeat Erdoğan will be found," Özel strongly criticized the claims that the path of Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş’s candidacy could also be blocked.

In his assessment regarding these claims, Özel said the following:

"Mansur Yavaş has the potential to perform the duty perfectly if the party and the country expect it from him. Calculations such as blocking Mansur Yavaş's candidacy would once again stir up Turkey, Anatolia, and the world. Mansur Yavaş holds a very important place in the hearts of this nation, and he is no one's backup. He is not Ekrem İmamoğlu's backup either."

"THE TRUSTEE DECISION WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY"

Touching upon the trustee discussions following the CHP İstanbul Provincial Congress and the subsequent Ordinary Convention, Özel argued that this process has legally ended.

In his assessment of the events, Özel said, "He may have seized the party building with 5 thousand police officers, but they could not seize the will of the party," and continued his words as follows:

"And now, one person from the delegation appears in a room of the party 1-2 days a week and leaves. I don't say anything to those who go there. It is the stubbornness of those who gave them that task. The 45th Civil Court of First Instance made a wrong decision that will go down in history. Everyone is ashamed of it. I am making high-judiciary visits, I am talking to legal experts from the AK Party, and when the subject comes up, they all are ashamed of it. But because it cannot turn back from its own shame, it stays like that."

RESPONSE TO REPORT CRITICISMS

Özgür Özel also responded to the criticisms of President and AKP Chairman Tayyip Erdoğan regarding the commission report, where he claimed "CHP backed down."

Stating that the report prepared by the CHP includes comprehensive democratization proposals, Özel expressed that they are ready to contribute to special legal regulations regarding the process, saying, "But they have no concern for the facts, they are trying to create a perception."

Criticizing the situation, Özel argued that while some circles evaluate the AKP and MHP reports with a positive perspective, they approach the CHP's report unfairly.

Emphasizing that the CHP took part in the commission despite all pressures, Özel stated, "The CHP entered that commission despite all kinds of injustice, harassment, and attacks against it. It was highly desired to be removed, but it remained."

Özel concluded his words with the following assessment:

"The CHP did not see the Imralı issue as a junction and did not leave. It saw it as a bump, passed by it, but continues on the road, it wants a solution. The desire to show this as something different happens because Erdoğan cannot accept the CHP's constructive opposition and founding politics."