Striking 'alliance' message from Özel, who spoke to the Financial Times! 'To defeat Erdoğan...'

Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel made statements to the UK-based Financial Times.

The UK-based Financial Times newspaper conducted an interview with Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel.

Drawing attention to election polls, the newspaper noted that Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu is ahead of AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, while stating, "İmamoğlu's arrest last month triggered panic in the markets and the largest street protests in Turkey in the last decade."

According to reports by Habertürk, Özgür Özel said they have 'no plans' for a candidate to replace İmamoğlu, but acknowledged that after the explosion of public discontent, they must maintain momentum even without him.

In his statement to the newspaper, Özel sent a message regarding alliances, saying that following İmamoğlu's arrest, he is pursuing a multi-faceted strategy consisting of grassroots rallies and political alliances to defeat President Erdoğan.

Özel also stated that he is open to building an opposition coalition of the kind that succeeded in defeating Erdoğan's AKP and its partners.

"We are not closed to alliances with other parties as elections approach. We need the support of all democrats to defeat Erdoğan," said Özel, emphasizing that İmamoğlu remains the CHP's candidate for the next presidential vote, which is scheduled for 2028.

However, Özel said that if a ban imposed by the government makes İmamoğlu's candidacy impossible, "We will determine the most suitable candidate and run a campaign centered around the freedom of İmamoğlu."

"WE HAVE PASSED THE ERA WHERE ERDOĞAN COULD INTIMIDATE THOSE WHO STAND AGAINST HIM"

Özel said, "We have passed the threshold where Erdoğan could intimidate those who stand against him," adding, "Crisis management and resistance are our business."

CHP'S THREE-STAGE PLAN

The Financial Times pointed out that the CHP has a comprehensive plan shaped under three main headings.

According to the plan, the first stage involves a symbolic nationwide campaign aiming to collect 30 million signatures with the demand for İmamoğlu's release and an early election. More than 10 million citizens have supported this campaign.

In the second stage, it is planned to hold rallies in Istanbul every Wednesday and organize regular protests across the country.

Özgür Özel emphasized the global significance of this process with the words, "There are very few examples in the world of how an authoritarian populist leader can be pushed back through peaceful demonstrations and civil protests. This will be one of them."

The third and most challenging part of the strategy aims to maintain pressure on the government by turning İmamoğlu's legal process into a broader social support movement, especially among young voters.

The report noted the remarkable political and social spectrum of those participating in recent protests. It was stated that there is participation from very different segments of society, from left-leaning students to nationalists, and from religious young women to elderly retirees.

The Financial Times also included a survey conducted at a demonstration in Ankara last month. According to the survey results, 94% of the protesters were under 35, but only half stated they were CHP supporters.

Using the phrase "There is no salvation alone," Özel said, "Whatever you imagine, Erdoğan can do it. There is no limit to this."

Özel also drew attention to the current dynamics of international politics, saying, "Unfortunately, the current global context; Trump, Putin, the war in Syria, has turned Erdoğan into someone other leaders want to negotiate with."