Özgür Özel puts an end to new party debates: Where patience runs out

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel appeared on journalist Ünsal Ünlü's YouTube channel. Answering questions about the agenda, Özel spoke about the new party debates.

Evaluating the NATO Leaders' Summit, Özel stated, "It is important that it is held in Turkey. I think one should distinguish between being a NATO member and being a 'NATO-ist'."

Here are the statements made by Özgür Özel in the interview:

"I don't think we have reached the end of the evil directed at us. Anything can happen. We are on the eve of certain decisions, and I feel that they are trying to stir up certain emotions, fear, anxiety, and worry that would prevent us from acting rationally while making these decisions. 

I think they are also trying to transmit the same negative emotions to everyone who will act with us after the decision we make. The leader they prefer becomes someone risk-free for them and hopeless for Turkey. They offered that to me, I didn't want it.

They canceled the diploma one day before March 19. Locked onto the target, using all weapons from a single source. On one side the university, on the other the Administrative Court, and on the other, the trial. 

The same person is simultaneously a spy, a terrorist, corrupt, a thief, and immoral. If you are saying all these things about one person, it means you are very afraid of that person. In the main DİSK trial, the defense lasted 136 days. Chairman Abdullah made a defense for 21 days without interruption. 

The judiciary of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan denies Ekrem İmamoğlu the right to defense that the Kenan Evren judiciary did not deny the DİSK executives. Let him defend himself. For 18 months, they will trample on him, and you will wait patiently in your 21-square-meter cell every evening, waiting for the day you will make your defense.

'A NEW PARTY WILL BE FOUNDED'

We haven't set a historical date, so it shouldn't be said. We haven't talked to everyone, reached a consensus, clarified, and said 'it's done,' so we shouldn't mention the number of deputies. We are in the process of searching for the new. We are in the search process after all. Before the judicial recess, a positive decision would greatly relieve Turkey. 

It is within the realm of possibility, but we are in a process where there is incredible pressure, we see it. It's the judicial recess, this didn't happen, I'm not saying 'that's the deadline, we're pressing the button.' But I am saying this: We have already pressed some buttons in advance. We are already doing some work. Transforming an existing party is also necessary against a snap election, we are working on that too. It's not that we aren't working.

We will make the final decision with our deputies, with many friends whose minds and ideas we trust, and with the nation. If the legal struggle and political struggle to remain in the CHP reaches a point where staying there means losing for those who have hope in us and for Turkey, then a new party will be founded when we leave there.

"THERE IS A RUSHING TORRENT ON THE STREET"

The nullity decision is not a decision that makes sense. They came to the building, they entered Atatürk's legacy with police. We look at public opinion polls. 20 percent say continue in the party, 80 percent say a new formation. My duty is to do everything legally and convince people that I have done so. If there is nothing left to do, then take the necessary steps.

There is a rushing torrent on the street. It is necessary to see that this torrent is also Ekrem Bey's hope, Turkey's hope, and Mansur Bey's assurance. I am not in a position to enter into something like 'that torrent is flowing for my sake.' But I can no longer stand in front of that torrent either. That torrent inspires us with courage, inspires us with determination. 

It is my duty to unify the feelings of thousands, tens of thousands and keep them in one place; it should not be too early or too late. The expectation of the street is to fight with enough patience and to take action without too much delay. The balance point of this is important. Whoever the right candidate is, I will nominate them, I will never hesitate in this.

We looked at the poll, I saw a guaranteed candidate who would win. To dream about myself on top of that, to have a fantasy, it wouldn't cross my mind. The right candidate must be determined, the regime must be saved. After returning to democracy, let everyone do what they want according to their own desires.

"WE WILL FOUND THE NEW PARTY WHERE PATIENCE RUNS OUT"

Leaving immunities until the end of the term is in our democratic tradition. Will someone who is afraid of their opponent and attacks Ekrem İmamoğlu, attack by saying 'let me leave this movement without a chairman'? They might. But it increases the flowing torrent. If I know this street, nothing is delayed, let them not worry.

This responsibility must be with someone, with me. Let no one fall into the delusion that it is being delayed. Either we return to the party as a result of the patience we have shown, or we found the new party where patience runs out and become the first party again. Let them trust us on that point."