Özgür Özel: New Party's membership count exceeded 600 thousand in 18 days

New Party Chairman Özgür Özel made statements regarding the membership campaign and party financing at the opening of the first Party Assembly meeting held at his party's headquarters.

Stating that the online membership campaign began on August 13, Özel said that as of the 18th day, the number of people who have become party members has exceeded 600 thousand. According to the information provided by Özel, more than 400 thousand of the members registered through the online system; approximately 200 thousand people joined the party through forms, on-site dues payments, or other dues payment methods.

In his assessment regarding the membership count, Özel also made a comparison with the AKP. Stating that the AKP reached 400 thousand members one year after its establishment, Özel expressed that the New Party reaching 1.5 times this number in 18 days is "extremely important."

Touching upon the party's financing, Özel announced that 152 thousand donors contributed before membership registrations were opened, and that a budget of 539 million liras was formed with the entrance dues and first dues payments of new members. Özel said, "The wealth in our treasury is not money, but the trust the nation has in us."

Emphasizing transparency in political financing, Özel said that they have submitted a legislative proposal on this matter and that negotiations will be held with other parties until October. Özel stated that the assets, income, and expenditures of politicians should be transparent in a way that meets and exceeds GRECO criteria.

PRIMARY ELECTION CALENDAR ANNOUNCED

Speaking about the party congress process, Özel stated that primary elections will be held before the official congresses. Accordingly, primary elections for district chairmanship candidate selection will be held on Saturday, September 26, and primary elections for provincial chairmanship will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 17-18.

Özel said that candidates who meet the necessary requirements can compete in the district chair, provincial chair, and general chair processes with the participation of members. The New Party leader called on citizens to join the party through online membership channels as well as at district and provincial buildings.