Negative response from DEM Party to Özgür Özel's call for early elections: 'Not on our agenda'

Speaking after the operation in which Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey was detained, CHP leader Özgür Özel expressed that an early election should be held in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) during a period when significant political developments are taking place in Turkey. Özel had stated that he would discuss this issue with Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş and that they would follow up on their political moves.

RESPONSE FROM DEM PARTY TO ELECTION AGENDA

DEM Party Spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan shared her evaluations regarding this call by Özel at a press conference she held today. Ayşegül Doğan stated, “Election discussions are not on the agenda of our Central Executive Board. Our Central Executive Board will meet next week. One of the most fundamental agendas of our party right now, just as CHP Chairman Özgür Özel drew attention to on the anniversary of March 31, is democratization.”

Doğan stated that the agenda in the election atmosphere is almost entirely focused on election discussions and that the country's real problems are being pushed to the background, making the following assessments:

"The discussion of an election atmosphere also creates an effect that covers up some issues. How, for example? It gathers the country under a single agenda for a long time and creates a de facto situation. That is, once an election is mentioned, it becomes impossible to talk about any other agenda."

She also underlined that current problems such as the economy, unemployment, and democratization are being pushed to the second plan by discussions on renewing elections.

"WE ARE AT A CRITICAL TURNING POINT"

Emphasizing the importance of the role that political parties and the opposition will play regarding the Kurdish issue and democratization, Doğan expressed the necessity of opening channels for negotiation and dialogue in Turkey with the following words:

"Yet today, we are at a very important junction in terms of the Kurdish issue. We believe that the main opposition party, in particular, will take on very serious responsibilities at this junction. As the democratic opposition strengthens, and as it can carry out struggle and negotiation together, the taking of democratic steps and the making of legal regulations in Turkey can become faster.

We are now in a period where issues can be discussed at the table rather than in the shadow of weapons, and where results can be achieved through dialogue. We are going through such a time. At this stage, our priority is a process that pushes the paths of democratization, that will serve the resolution of the Kurdish issue with a fair and lasting peace, and especially one that will be supported, or even led, by the opposition."

Emphasizing that the practice of appointing trustees to municipalities is still ongoing, Doğan reiterated their expectation for a joint struggle among political parties based on democratization. She also stated that they understand the reasons for the election calls:

"Our expectation from the opposition is an effort and endeavor for democratization where we can produce joint responses to the country's current problems and establish partnerships together; but of course, we also understand very well the reasons for this early election or local election call by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel. Because we have also been subjected to similar treatment. We continue to be subjected to it. Look at what was done after the celebrations at Nevruz. Trustees are still at work in the municipalities. It is not only in CHP-run municipalities; DEM Party-run municipalities are also still being managed by trustees. In other words, the will of the people is one of the most indispensable and important issues for us as well."

This issue may be re-evaluated at the DEM Party Central Executive Board meeting to be held next week. However, the statements made by the party spokesperson revealed that the DEM Party does not want an election in the short term and sees democratic reforms as its main priority.