Striking behind-the-scenes details on the CHP primary: 'Let citizens, not members, choose...'
Following CHP leader Özgür Özel's announcement that they will determine the presidential candidate through a primary, remarks made by Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş have leaked from behind-the-scenes.
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Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel announced during his speech at the party's parliamentary group meeting that they would determine their presidential candidate through a primary election.
Following this announcement by Özel, all eyes turned to Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) Mayor Mansur Yavaş, whose names have come to the forefront for the presidential candidacy.
According to Nefes Gazetesi columnist Aytunç Erkin, it was commented in CHP circles that IMM Mayor İmamoğlu, who had been calling for a "primary election," won the first round regarding the candidacy.
It was alleged that ABB Mayor Yavaş was surprised and tense regarding Özel's statement. Erkin wrote that Yavaş holds the view that, "The CHP's candidate should be chosen by the citizens, not by party members. A survey of 50,000 people should be conducted."
Aytunç Erkin wrote the following in his column today:
"CHP leader Özgür Özel met with Mansur Yavaş at the headquarters on Thursday, January 23. According to what Mansur Yavaş told his inner circle: 'Özgür Bey expressed his decision to initiate the candidate determination process. I, however, stated that there is no early election ahead of us and that announcing a candidacy for this reason is premature. The Chairman did not convey the decision to 'determine the candidate through a primary' to me either.'
I have learned that Yavaş will hold a press conference in Ankara in the coming days and will express his thoughts on this matter with a 'subtle reproach.' Sources close to Mansur Yavaş say that they are advocating for the idea brought up by then-İYİ Party leader Meral Akşener during the Table of Six process, which was 'Let's consult polling companies when determining the candidate,' and that they want a measurement of 50,000 people to be conducted through three reliable companies.
In fact, one aide even made the following remarks: 'When we go to the ballot box, will the preference of 60 million voters be accepted, or the preference of CHP members?' A figure close to İmamoğlu, on the other hand, stated that the base that votes for the CHP holds diverse views, meaning it represents all of Turkey."
