He had said 'yes' to the framework law: Özgür Özel announced the condition for supporting the second opening process

YENİ Party Chairman Özgür Özel, in an interview with BirGün Newspaper, made statements regarding topics on the agenda, ranging from the absolute nullity process in the CHP to the imprisoned presidential candidate and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, and from the second opening process called "Terror-Free Turkey" to the parliamentary balances in the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB).

“THE COURT OF CASSATION MUST MEND THE TEAR”

Emphasizing that the absolute nullity decision against the CHP is unlawful, Özel answered the question of whether they would return to the CHP if the decision is overturned by the Court of Cassation.

Describing the absolute nullity decision as “a legal scandal unprecedented in Turkey” , Özel stated that the decision before the Court of Cassation is critical in terms of the legal order.

“Right now, there is a major tear in the law. The Court of Cassation needs to mend this tear. If it is not mended, there will be no such thing as public order left” said Özel, noting that his expectation from the Court of Cassation has nothing to do with returning to the CHP.

“WE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE CHP”

Özel clearly stated that the YENİ Party would not return to the CHP if the Court of Cassation overturns the absolute nullity decision.

“I hope that the relevant chamber of the Court of Cassation will put a stop to this in the name of the legal order in Turkey. This hope of mine is not about returning to the CHP. We have set out on a new path and we are walking on this new path” said Özel, who also evaluated the current situation of the CHP.

Özel stated, “But my heart cannot bear to see a party like the CHP remain under occupation with all its assets, institutionalism, and logo, being plundered, and all its assets being effectively looted” he expressed.

Arguing that the current management in the CHP must be changed, Özel said, “The nullity management must be removed from the CHP and the CHP must be brought to a healthy structure” he said.

“WE HAVE NOT LEFT İMAMOĞLU BEHIND”

Özel also rejected criticisms in the public eye that Ekrem İmamoğlu has been forgotten.

Stating that, along with İmamoğlu, other imprisoned figures have not been left alone against the injustices they have faced, Özel said, “We have not left İmamoğlu or our other friends behind against the injustices they have faced, neither on the streets, nor in the squares, nor in the courts” he spoke.

“WE ARE NOT PRESENT ANYWHERE THAT OPENS THE REPUBLIC TO DEBATE”

Özel also spoke about the second opening process, which the government calls "Terror-Free Turkey," and the framework law prepared within the scope of the process.

Stating that the YENİ Party will not be part of the process if it is moved to a point where the fundamental values of the Republic are opened to debate, Özel said, “We are not present anywhere that opens the Republic to debate” he said.

Özel said that the YENİ Party supports Kurds being represented democratically and living in peace in Iraq, Iran, and Syria, as well as in Turkey.

Regarding the Constitution, Özel emphasized equal citizenship and a democratic constitution, stating that this is necessary not only for Kurds but for all segments that feel left behind.

“The YENİ Party fully embraces the founding values of the Republic. We will neither give up on secularism nor other principles... The YENİ Party's highest sensitivity is the Republic” said Özel, who also touched upon the possibility of the process turning into a constitutional amendment.

“A NEW CONSTITUTION CANNOT BE DISCUSSED WITH THOSE WHO DO NOT EVEN COMPLY WITH THIS CONSTITUTION”

While arguing that the current Constitution should be changed, Özel opposed doing so without complying with the existing legal order.

Evaluating the current Constitution as a text bearing the traces of the September 12, July 15, and March 19 processes, Özel said, “This Constitution is the Constitution of the September 12, July 15, and March 19 coup plotters” he said.

While stating that the Constitution should be replaced with a democratic and civil text, Özel said that for this to happen, the current Constitution must first be complied with.

“This law bears the traces of Kenan Evren, Fethullah Gülen, and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. We must get rid of this Constitution. But a new Constitution cannot be discussed with those who do not even comply with this Constitution” expressed Özel, who also directed a similar criticism at the Framework Law discussions.

Criticizing the support given to the Framework Law without seeing its content, Özel said, "Imagine that a Framework Law is coming and there is a race to sign it without reading it."

Regarding the terrorist organization laying down arms, Özel stated that they are not against it in principle, “In principle, if an organization is going to lay down its arms, we cannot say no to that” he said. However, he emphasized that the YENİ Party's stance on this issue is not independent of the content of the law and how the process is conducted.

“We cannot make a Constitution with an understanding that signs the Framework Law without seeing it and makes others sign it without showing it” said Özel, pointing to the period after the elections for constitutional amendment.

Özel stated, “But we will make a democratic and civil Constitution after the upcoming elections” he declared.

REMARKABLE WORDS FROM ÖZEL FOR İBB: “THEY CAN DO IT”

Özel also made remarkable statements regarding the discussions that the changes occurring in the councils of CHP-run municipalities could also reflect on the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

Stating that in some municipalities, CHP council members are acting together with the ruling party, Özel evaluated the events in Etimesgut and Menderes as a "caught in the act" situation.

Saying that the possibility of this picture spreading to the İBB should not be ignored, Özel said, "We cannot say 'They cannot risk the İBB passing to the AKP' for this mindset that makes everything we say 'won't happen' happen."

Özel continued his words with the expression, "They can do it, we cannot vouch for anything they do."