Özgür Özel: 'We are in a very tight squeeze'

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel answered questions about the current agenda from Uğur Dündar on a live broadcast on Sözcü TV.

Özel stated, "(Regarding the protocol signed between Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and Ümit Özdağ before the May elections) I had announced to the public that we were not aware of this protocol. This issue also came up during the party congress process we went through, but a political party wants to turn this into a tool to stay on the agenda for itself. I do not want to be a party to such a thing.

The gentleman has now published the protocol and so on. He wants to bring himself to the agenda, but I will not be a party to that debate. I had told the members of the Republican People's Party that I would govern with those who are elected, not those who are appointed, and that no more secret protocols would be made. There is no point in going back and getting stuck on that issue," he said.

'ALLIANCE' DEBATES IN LOCAL ELECTIONS

Özgür Özel's statements are as follows:

"Mansur Yavaş conveyed my greetings to Meral Akşener. He did not make a request for cooperation for Ankara.

We will not form an alliance in the local elections. Because the word alliance has become very worn out. We have collectively worn that word out quite a bit. The word alliance no longer has a very positive connotation in the ears of the voter. I prefer to use the word 'cooperation'.

Cooperations specific to electoral districts can be made. I think that in this cooperation, if possible, two parties, but if there is a special necessity, perhaps sometimes it can go up to three, but in general, the cooperation and unity of power of two parties will be the right thing.

When it comes to local elections, we all have a responsibility together. And that responsibility is this: If I don't win, if you don't win, if we don't win, he will win. Who is he? Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The opposition voter, the voter who does not want Erdoğan to fly over them in a helicopter and reserve land for Arabs, cannot tolerate us losing to him. So what will we do? We must form cooperations in local elections. It does not suit us to dwell on formulas that will cause us to lose.

I believe that we will overcome many difficulties together with Meral Hanım, our esteemed Chairwoman, or as she puts it, my sister Meral. For this, I will do whatever falls to me. It is a process I look at with hope. We must do it as soon as possible. If it doesn't happen, it's not the end of the world.

"WE ARE IN A VERY TIGHT SQUEEZE"

From now on, wherever you see the CHP, you will see it as effective, competent, and energetic; not just in parliament, not just at the podium, but in the field, in the fields, and on the streets. Today, we are in a very tight squeeze because our own citizens' ability to farm and engage in animal husbandry has disappeared due to agriculture, labor, transportation, fuel costs, energy costs, drought, and poor planning in Turkey.

A completely different political understanding must now come to Turkey to grow Turkey, develop Turkey, get the economy back on its feet, and intervene in distribution. Instead of a Turkey where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, large masses must now get a share of the growth.

"WE WILL REPLACE THE MAYORS THE PUBLIC DOES NOT LIKE"

We have started surveys in all of the municipalities we hold. Surveys are being conducted, starting with our metropolitan cities. Our pollsters will be in the field next Monday. Those who are in the hearts of the public are also in our hearts. We will re-nominate our mayors who are ahead of their election results, ahead of the party's vote, and in the hearts of the public. We will replace the mayors the public does not like. We will field candidates in all electoral districts in Turkey and we will not hide the ballot box from our organization. Even if it is a place where it is difficult for us to win, let our organization decide."