Ekrem İmamoğlu responds to Meral Akşener’s 'we will field candidates in 81 provinces' remark: Alliances are essential!

CHP’s Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has evaluated the announcement by Good Party leader Meral Akşener that they will field candidates in 81 cities, including Ankara and Istanbul, in the local elections. Stating, “I absolutely do not agree with the idea that ‘there should be no alliances’,” İmamoğlu added, “Alliances are always essential. Furthermore, let us not forget that the greatest alliance is the social alliance at the grassroots level.”

İmamoğlu said, “I have read the remarks of Akşener that were reflected in the press. I would like to give it some time, analyze it, better grasp her assessments, and if necessary, speak with her face-to-face to understand the Istanbul strategy more clearly. Dialogue is always good.”

On the other hand, when asked about his absence from the last three events held by CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu in Istanbul, he replied, “I cannot answer this question. Because I am not the addressee. You cannot provide an answer on a matter you have no information about.”

“DIALOGUE IS ALWAYS NECESSARY; I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FACE-TO-FACE AND UNDERSTAND THE ISTANBUL STRATEGY MORE CLEARLY”

İmamoğlu answered questions from Sözcü columnist İsmail Saymaz. Regarding Akşener's statement that “We will field candidates, including in Ankara and Istanbul,” İmamoğlu expressed the following views:

“I have followed Ms. Akşener's statements. However, whether there will be concrete moves in terms of content, whether she will determine the process from today or evaluate it, or whether other processes might influence her decision over time—these are matters that need to be discussed. Dialogue is always necessary. In this sense, we have conducted a very harmonious process in Istanbul with the Good Party base and organization. Currently, I have only read the remarks of Ms. Akşener that were reflected in the press. I would like to give it some time, analyze it, better grasp her assessments, and if necessary, speak with her face-to-face to understand the Istanbul strategy more clearly. Dialogue is always good. Therefore, I do not think there is a matter to which a concrete answer can be given.”

“I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT AGREE WITH THE IDEA THAT ‘THERE SHOULD BE NO ALLIANCES’. ALLIANCES ARE ALWAYS ESSENTIAL”

İmamoğlu also shared his predictions and thoughts regarding the effects of not forming an alliance:

“Turkey's politics is now an alliance politics. The forms of alliances can change according to the ground and region of the elections. In this sense, the general election atmosphere in the country also required alliances. We see that alliance processes will also be effective in the local elections. Sometimes alliances will be effective, sometimes breaking alliances will be effective. Sometimes causing mistakes in alliances can also be effective.

In this sense, I absolutely do not agree with the idea that ‘there should be no alliances’. Alliances are always essential. Furthermore, let us not forget that the greatest alliance is the social alliance at the grassroots level. This applies to all political parties. Because sometimes local election and general election sentiments can create different reflexes. In that sense, I certainly value the alliances of political parties. But I value the alliances that society will form within itself at least as much, perhaps even more.”

“I KNOW MY RIVAL IN ISTANBUL”

Stating “I know my rival in Istanbul,” İmamoğlu said regarding the names being discussed in the corridors for the İBB, “The others do not concern me.”