Lütfü Savaş nominated again: Özgür Özel's remarks on Hatay resurface

Continuing its local election efforts, the Republican People's Party (CHP) has determined its mayoral candidates in 240 electoral districts for the local elections.

DECISION TO CONTINUE WITH LÜTFÜ SAVAŞ IN HATAY

In Hatay, one of the cities most affected by the February 6 earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, the incumbent mayor Lütfü Savaş has been nominated again.

REACTION FROM EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS TO THE LÜTFÜ SAVAŞ DECISION

While earthquake survivors in Hatay reacted to Savaş's nomination, the remarks made by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel regarding Hatay during a television program he attended have resurfaced.

"WE HAVE TO ABIDE BY WHATEVER DECISION HATAY MAKES REGARDING THE MAYOR"

Appearing as a guest on the program Az Önce Konuştum with Candaş Tolga Işık, Özgür Özel had stated that they would abide by the decision of the people of Hatay regarding the Hatay candidate in the March 31 local elections.

In his statements to journalist Candaş Tolga Işık, Özel had said, "The decision we make in Hatay will be a very historic one because we have to abide by whatever decision the people of Hatay make regarding the mayor after the earthquake." When asked by Işık, "Does the Hatay Municipality also bear responsibility for the destruction in Hatay?", Özel replied, "If there is destruction in a city, everyone in that city has responsibility. It is not possible to say that local governments have no fault if blame is to be assigned here. One of the 10 municipalities is ours; I accept that fault, and I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the other 9 faults belong to the Justice and Development Party."

SAVAŞ'S RÖNESANS REZİDANS STATEMENT HAD DRAWN CRITICISM

Savaş had drawn criticism for his statements regarding the Rönesans Rezidans, which was destroyed in the February 6 earthquakes.

In response to a question about the inspection of the destroyed buildings, Savaş had replied, "That place is, under normal conditions, a building constructed by our former Chamber of Architects president. This friend of ours is truly an idealistic person. He most likely built it in accordance with the conditions and the earthquake regulations. First of all, it was a small apocalypse. If we really question the municipality, the regulations, or the people who do this work here, we would be doing them a disservice. I am speaking sincerely."