Ahmet Hakan calls on Murat Kurum to 'debate İmamoğlu'! He even suggested questions...
Hürriyet Editor-in-Chief Ahmet Hakan, known for his proximity to the government, has called on People's Alliance Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) mayoral candidate Murat Kurum to appear on a television program with incumbent IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Hakan commented, "A definitive, clear, and indisputable victory can only be possible by taking risks."
12punto
As the local elections approach, polemics between mayoral candidates continue.
In Istanbul, one of the cities most closely watched in these critical elections, a television program has been added to the list of topics fueling the polemics between the AKP and MHP candidate Murat Kurum and the current IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
İMAMOĞLU SENT A 'READY' MESSAGE, KURUM SIDESTEPPED THE ISSUE
While İmamoğlu signaled that he is ready to appear on a television program with Kurum, Kurum stated, "The call from those who do not see Istanbul to talk about Istanbul with us today is not a sincere call. If we are going to talk about Istanbul's metro, if we are going to talk about Istanbul's urban transformation, if we are going to talk about Istanbul's future and its tomorrow, we are open to every conversation and every invitation. But first, they must show this sincerity."
Hürriyet Editor-in-Chief Ahmet Hakan, known for his proximity to the government, issued a call to Murat Kurum in the section titled "Who would benefit from a TV debate: Kurum or İmamoğlu?" in his column today.
"SUCH AN OUTCOME WOULD ELEVATE KURUM"
Stating that Murat Kurum would be at an advantage if he appeared on a program with his rival, IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Hakan expressed his view: "For example, he could find the opportunity to respond to İmamoğlu's 'I was obstructed' approach with figures. For example, he could ask İmamoğlu, 'Tell me, how many centimeters of metro did you build?' For example, he could explain with charts why the transportation and traffic problem remains unresolved. For example, he could question İmamoğlu's performance regarding earthquake preparedness. When the two candidates face each other, perceptions vanish and facts emerge. If İmamoğlu is indeed getting by on perceptions... such an outcome would elevate Murat Kurum."
Hakan added, "Can I say that such a program carries no risk for Murat Kurum? Of course I cannot. However, a definitive, clear, and indisputable victory can only be possible by taking risks."