By-election demand on the table: CHP officials declare 'Our resignation letters are ready'

The Republican People's Party (CHP) leadership has initiated a series of meetings to strengthen unity and solidarity within the party against the recent operations targeting CHP municipalities. In this context, the meeting of mayors to be held under the chairmanship of Chairman Özgür Özel aims to both increase motivation within the party and establish a common strategy. All these meetings will conclude with the Party Assembly session to be held on Monday.

According to a report by Cumhuriyet, during a process where discomfort regarding the operations is being voiced across the party, CHP officials and provincial chairs state that their main goal is to convey the injustices and double standards being experienced to the public more clearly, saying, “The public's perspective on these events is more important to us than anything else.” The prevailing view in the assessments made by the party is, “We are focusing on how we can express ourselves better and how we can make these injustices visible.”

CHP members emphasize that the ongoing meetings make a significant contribution to unity. Party members state, “Our chairman will also continue his separate meetings with members of parliament. These gatherings provide motivation for the organization and demonstrate our solidarity to the public. At the same time, we are showing that we are acting together despite the pressure.”

EFFORTS TO EXPLAIN THE DOUBLE STANDARD IN OPERATIONS

The CHP leadership argues that the public's reaction to the operations is mostly attributed to political reasons and that citizens are aware that the pressures are not legal. In this direction, discussions within the party are intensifying around the question, “Can we make the double standard and injustices more visible in the eyes of the public?”

Party sources note the following:

“We are giving many examples. For instance, the Minister of Interior says they have launched more investigations into AKP-run municipalities. However, we point out that the mayors who face police raids at night are mostly our mayors. We are planning concrete steps to better explain these injustices to society.”

RESIGNATION PREPARATIONS AND BY-ELECTION DEMAND

On the other hand, another topic of discussion within the CHP concerns a possible by-election. While party members argue that a by-election held in an environment of pressure would allow Turkey to breathe, they demand that a step be taken in parliament on this issue. In response to calls directed at the government such as “Where is your resignation?”, CHP officials use the expression, “Our resignation letters are ready. However, what matters is the attitude of the will on the other side. If our resignations are accepted for an expanded by-election or an early election, we are ready for any kind of election.” Party executives are united in the view that the government is avoiding the ballot box despite the clear provisions of the constitution.