Özgür Özel shares the latest on CHP's presidential candidate: Ekrem İmamoğlu's candidacy

As a guest on the tv100 Main News program with Kübra Par, Özel made noteworthy statements during the live broadcast.

Here are the highlights of Özel's statements:

Why did the CHP stand up when President Erdoğan arrived at the opening of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM)?

At the point we have reached, we had not been standing up since 2007. It was a decision made by the Central Executive Board (MYK)... We were at this point following the constitutional referendum. Because of the partisan presidency...

We were very right not to stand up, but after the referendum, the voters told us, "You are not showing respect to the President I elected." We are following a new political path and we see that we are getting results. I said on the evening of March 31: Not all of these votes are ours. From now on, we are following a more distinct policy. We are the leading party in the polls.

We held 11 rallies across the country. People in Turkey want their problems to be discussed. The arguments between politicians cause polarization. Authoritarian leaders also feed on polarization.

I held 105 rallies and did not engage in polemics with Erdoğan. We saw the positive result of this in the elections. I will have the toughest debates, but I will not make them personal.

Were there any deputies within the CHP who did not comply with the decision to stand up?

The group decision is binding. We did not make a group decision on this matter. We said we would welcome our President standing up, but we did not tell anyone they had to stand up by force. We did not tell those who said they did not want to do this that we would do anything to them if they did not. I sought the opinions of 3 of my former chairmen, Altan Öymen, Hikmet Çetin, and Murat Karayalçın. They also found it appropriate.

"I WILL RESIGN IF I DO NOT MAKE THE PARTY THE LEADING PARTY IN THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION"

If I do not make my party the leading party in the first general election, I will resign. I will be the first chairman to make this party the government. When polarization decreases in Turkey, real problems are discussed. We are not fighting for this.

KILIÇDAROĞLU'S CRITICISM OF STANDING UP

What is your comment on Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's criticism that "We only stand up for the people"?

We told people to stand up for whoever Kemal Bey said we should stand up for. I held 11 rallies for this.

I was saddened by the expression Kılıçdaroğlu used in his tweet for the deputies who stood up. I found it very hurtful.

I expect respect from the chairmen who come after me. All criticisms from the chairmen before me are welcome.

How is a former chairman criticizing the new chairman received by the public?

We haven't measured this. I don't think it strengthens the party much. I hope we are not weakening it too much and we are doing well. The party is doing well, but that is their own discretion. I will not fail in showing respect.

What is Kılıçdaroğlu's goal? Is he making all these moves to return to the chairmanship or for the party?

I am not the addressee of this question.

"BAHÇELİ ALSO WANTS TO NORMALIZE"

(Regarding Bahçeli's words in Parliament, "I hope we don't hurt each other," and the handshake)

I criticized Bahçeli for threatening 4 journalists, me, and Sinan Ateş's family. When we ran into each other in Parliament, he stated that he said those words politically.

Erdoğan said very harsh words aimed at ending normalization. He made harsh remarks regarding the oath of the lieutenants. As far as I can see, Devlet Bey wants to do this: Let us also participate in normalization, so it is not left solely to the CHP.

The politics Devlet Bey is conducting is something that wears down the institution. The tone of his words in the morning was way off. When his attitude in Parliament is like this, it wears down politics.

We need to take Turkish politics out of cage fighting. You should invite us to a round table. Can we fall behind Biden and Trump?

WHY DID YOU NOT SIGN THE JOINT DECLARATION WHEN 12 MARTYRS WERE GIVEN IN NORTHERN IRAQ?

They attacked me in my own hometown. I got into the Governor's car that day and left the area. Then we had 6 martyrs. We issued a separate declaration.

If the Libya mandate comes again, we will vote yes. We are against the omnibus mandate. We are against foreign soldiers entering Turkey. They put Syria and Iraq in the same mandate, we are against it.

VISIT TO THE TURKISH HOUSE IN NEW YORK

Your visit to the Turkish House building in New York was highly debated...

It was very good that I went. There is a skyscraper there built by TÜRGEV. The place I went to is a proud building that is the deeded property of the Republic of Turkey, purchased by Foreign Minister İhsan Sabri Çağlayangil.

Is it true that they will allocate an office to you?

We think the government is using it, so an office could be allocated to opposition parties. Whichever opposition party goes, they can use it.

It was alleged that a bribe was given for this building to the Mayor of New York.

I don't understand who expects me to say that Turkey gave a bribe. It breaks my heart that our problem is evaluated based on one sentence. Today there is an agenda about bribery here. The judiciary in the US is independent; if there is a bribery case, it will definitely come out. I said, if anyone from Turkey is involved in this, they have done a great disservice to Turkey. They say I am whitewashing bribery with my words that Turkey is not a country that would give bribes. Is this possible?

If bribery occurred, I would want them to receive the heaviest punishment; they disgraced us. If a bribe was given to finish it in time for Erdoğan's visit, this would not be done to a democratic leader. This is done for a leader who is feared. Those who say "If we don't finish it, Erdoğan will ruin us" do this. If such a thing didn't happen, how can I accuse my own citizen?

CRITICISM OF NORMALIZATION

How is the base receiving normalization?

There is no one asking why you are doing this, Özgür Bey. I have heard the words "I find what you have done recently very correct" dozens of times. I have not seen any objection to normalization in the field. The nation is normal anyway. Don't people from different parties shake hands?

You are breaking the mold of those who want harsh opposition. Will you be able to convince your own base?

I cannot say it will be zero. My job is to grow the party and bring it to power. We cannot come to power with 25 percent. We appear at 32 percent in the polls. We are the leading party, 3-4 points ahead. I know that our base values my word. I have never intentionally misled them. I told them: From now on, the lights of this party will not go out early in these elections, women will not wrap headscarves on their heads and suffer from headaches.

Then we saw that the front of the party Headquarters was full. I want to do this in the general election as well. Who would think that I would sell out the party while trying to do this?

Do you not take social media criticism into account?

If we look at Twitter, we will lose our way home. We respect every criticism, but troll armies do not reflect the truth. There are those who want to stir up the CHP and keep it in a debate; I will not give them the time of day.

Süleyman Soylu provoked 300 AK Party members and that many people marched on me. What we are trying to do with normalization is essentially to save Turkey's future.

Authoritarianism, an unchangeable leader... There is no country that prospers at the end of this. Regimes where no one talks to anyone are authoritarian regimes...

WHAT WILL THE CHP DO IF İMAMOĞLU RECEIVES A POLITICAL BAN?

What will your roadmap be if İmamoğlu receives a political ban?

Meetings have been held several times. We talked about what we would do if such a thing happened, but it would not be right to announce this now. We should not normalize this sentence. Such a decision should not be taken. After it is taken, there is the Supreme Court stage.

I think the political ban will be approved in the appellate court, but the Supreme Court stage will remain. There are those who want to keep the debate on whether İmamoğlu will be a presidential candidate; let's not fall for this game.

It is being talked about that İmamoğlu will be announced as a candidate...

There is no such thing. Ekrem Bey emphasized to me that people gave him authority for 5 years.

How will a decision be made when it comes down to Mansur Yavaş and Ekrem İmamoğlu?

May God not show the absence of either of them. What if they weren't there?.. We will not start these debates early. The party's goal is very clear: We want to change this government through elections and establish a strong parliament. A strong executive, a strong prime minister...

What will your method be for determining the presidential candidate? If they nominate you...

I would not expect such a thing from the members. I am in favor of ensuring the most correct candidate with the most correct consensus.

We are connected by a bond of love. We no longer have a lack of self-confidence either. If a completely different name comes up, Ekrem Bey will say to me: Let's make this person the candidate. Ekrem Bey tells me that he wants to provide the best service to Istanbul. Mansur Bey also said that this debate is not right for me.

These debates are being made by those who are not one of us and who want to prevent us from marching to power step by step. Our main goal is to return Turkey to a strong parliament. With the exception of the US, the most powerful states are governed by parliament. In countries that distribute power, the people become wealthy.

What does the CHP, which wants an early election, promise this country? What are your solution proposals?

We held a change congress. We changed our charter. We know where and how to start. The CHP will establish the most correct contacts in provinces and districts, discuss its own solution proposals, and receive contributions. First, it will collect demands.

All demands in agriculture, animal husbandry, fishing, macroeconomics, education, and culture and arts will be collected. At the end of 6 months, the matured texts will be put on paper. We will announce how we will govern Turkey by rewriting the party program from scratch.

What you described reminded me of the DEVA Party. Long studies may not be able to meet with the public. Will we be able to see concrete proposals?

You will see them all. We want an election in 1 month. At the end of 1 year, it will concretize its policy program and promises. Its biggest promise is to be a full member of the European Union. When you strengthen and make the judiciary transparent, hot money will flow in.

I had the 77 countries in the Socialist International, including the Greek Representative, sign to support Turkey in EU membership.

THE PROMISE OF RAKI BEING 140 LIRA

We will remove the zero from the labels. (Rakı being 140 lira) What I meant was that the purchasing power of money would increase 10 times. We cannot interfere with anyone's life.

CLEANING DEBATE IN SCHOOLS

Mansur Yavaş responded that when they went to schools, they turned away cleaning staff, while Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin said they went to 21 schools as if it were 2,100 schools.

We go according to the demand in the schools. If a school principal mentions a cleaning problem, we said they could get help from our municipalities. We don't go where we aren't called. They are trying to prevent this.

This Minister of National Education is unsuccessful. This will not be solved without changing the person who appointed the ministers, not the ministers themselves. This minister said, "Schools are like 5-star hotels," then said, "They are in terrible condition." The Minister has a very serious inconsistency. Then why was the recruitment of 30,000 cleaning personnel initiated?

Our Beyoğlu Municipality started it. We are putting water dispensers in schools.

You called for an early election. The AK Party did not accept it. What would you say if the AK Party makes a call 6 months before the election?

No, we will not accept it.

Do you see the danger of Israel attacking Turkey?

Yesterday, Erdoğan made such a sentence on the Parliament floor. If the President is saying this, I take it seriously. Immediately, in a secret session, President Erdoğan and his ministers must share what this means.

If they try to gather the nation behind them with war because the economy is bad, I am worried about this.

Will you support the new constitution work?

They should comply with the current constitution. Can Atalay is inside. They need to comply with the Constitutional Court decisions.

MEETING WITH ASSAD

You asked for an appointment from Assad. What answer were you given?

They said they look at it positively. We sent our official request letter, at that stage Erdoğan said I will also meet. I guess, it seems to me that the Syrian side has paused. We are waiting for a day. If this step of mine starts an Erdoğan-Assad meeting and provides a solution to the refugee problem, I support it.

WHEN WILL HE GO TO PALESTINE?

We are waiting for flight approval from the Israeli Foreign Minister. I proposed that the next meeting of the Socialist International be held in Ramallah.

Your dance with your wife at the Çankaya Mayor's wedding was talked about a lot...

They said Özgür Özel is getting a divorce. There is no such thing. We have been together since I was 18 (1993). May God not let it be spoiled.