Mansur Yavaş had opposed it: A critical day in the CHP for the presidential candidate

Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel’s announcement that his party would determine its presidential candidate through a primary has sparked a new debate on the political agenda.

While Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has expressed support for the primary, it was alleged that Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) Mayor Mansur Yavaş opposed it.

Regarding the primary his party will hold to determine its presidential candidate, ABB Mayor Yavaş stated, "I am of the opinion that it is too early to determine a candidate. The election date is not yet clear. Conditions will change by then. I believe that while there is economic hardship, society should not be preoccupied with this as a priority. I think candidates should not exhaust each other's energy."

IMM Mayor İmamoğlu, who fully supports the primary, responded to Yavaş's remarks on the primary and candidacy by saying, "Our esteemed mayor Mansur Yavaş may have a different view, but we will still discuss these. These are internal party matters. We will find the most correct path. We must define a process where all our hands are raised together."

In a press conference he held yesterday, Yavaş stated that he does not find the candidacy debates appropriate and that the country's real agenda is the economy.

As work continues within the CHP, which has initiated the candidate determination process, a Party Assembly (PM) meeting will be held on February 10.

A critical meeting will take place before the assembly, where the primary will be discussed.

According to a report by Birgün, CHP leader Özgür Özel will meet with IMM Mayor İmamoğlu and ABB Mayor Yavaş, whose names have been mentioned for the presidential candidacy, on Sunday, February 9.

The agenda of the CHP's presidential candidate will be discussed at the meeting.

PARTY ASSEMBLY CONVENES

Meanwhile, the CHP Party Assembly (PM) will convene on Monday, February 10.

It is expected that the roadmap for the primary, which will be held after the criteria for potential presidential candidates are announced by the Central Executive Board (MYK), will be addressed at the PM.

It is stated that the meeting will discuss the directive prepared for the primary, including the date and method by which approximately 1 million 600 thousand CHP members will vote among the presidential candidates to be announced by the party.

Regarding this, it was stated that there is a positive outlook toward setting up ballot boxes in designated areas at provincial and district centers, and using sealed ballots and envelopes prepared by the party, similar to elections conducted by the Supreme Election Council, and that preparations are being made in this direction.

While the primary is planned to be completed by the end of March or at the latest in the first week of April, it is expected that the final form will be given to all preparations and work in this area at the PM meeting.