Özgür Özel puts an end to 'two-candidate formula' claims! Did Mansur Yavaş actually say those words?

Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel visited DEVA Party leader Ali Babacan.

Following the meeting, both leaders made statements to journalists.

Speaking about the primary election process his party will undergo to determine its presidential candidate, Özel stated, "We are eager to maintain our good relations with the DEVA Party, which have existed for a long time. You have always supported us against the injustices we have faced, and I thank you for that. I informed him about the work being carried out by the CHP and our efforts in the process of determining a presidential candidate, during this period when we demand the ballot box to reach the ultimate arbiter, believing that the only solution after what has happened is an early election. We also benefited from his views."

Özel spoke about the triple summit he held with Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) Mayor Mansur Yavaş and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.

Responding to a question regarding the backstage rumors that ABB Mayor Yavaş said at the triple summit, "From this point on, whether or not to be a candidate cannot be my decision alone. The public has bought into this. Know that if polls continue to show this, I will be a candidate," Özel replied, "I heard these expressions too, but not on Sunday evening. I heard them from an Ankara representative's statements on a live broadcast on Monday and Tuesday morning. Since these were not expressions I heard on Sunday evening, journalists comment on politicians, but politicians have no obligation to comment on journalists."

Özel continued as follows:

"We discussed together that both Mr. Mansur Yavaş and Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu believe the only solution for this country, which is in crisis, is an early election, and that they will respect the decisions made by the authorized bodies of the CHP and ultimately all its members to ensure this early election, and that they are ready to take on responsibility if sacrifice is required for the party's success, with the fundamental goal being to bring the CHP to power."

"WE HAVE NO SUCH SCENARIO"

"If you are forced into a two-candidate formula, what is your scenario here?" In response to this question, Özel said, "We have no such scenario. After both of my mayors, both of these valuable friends whose names are mentioned, said 'If my party gives a task, I am there; I respect the decisions made by my party,' we do not find it appropriate to respond to these unnecessary discussions."

"WE SAW HOW SIMILAR OUR STANCES ARE"

Babacan said the following regarding Özel's visit:

"The most important criterion of democracy is the state of the economy and justice in the country. Today, there is great poverty and injustice in the country. We provide all kinds of support, including legal support, to everyone who is under intense pressure through the judiciary. There is also intense pressure on political parties, but this will not intimidate us. No matter what happens, we must keep freedoms alive and fight for law and justice. We talked about these with Mr. Özgür, and we saw how similar our stances are."