Polls conducted for a total of 32 candidates! Striking statement from Özgür Özel regarding Istanbul and Ankara

Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel spoke to journalist Murat Yetkin regarding the March 31, 2024, local elections.

Özel stated, "We are aware of the importance of this local election. It will be something like a title match. It will show who holds the psychological advantage. If the opposition is unsuccessful in the local elections, it will reinforce the power of the ruling party. For this reason, we are not opposing the opposition. We are not entering into polemics with opposition parties."

"WE DO NOT SEE IYI PARTY MEMBERS AS VERY DIFFERENT FROM OURSELVES"

When asked if he was referring to the IYI Party, Özel said, "I believe that the unity we very much wanted but could not achieve at our level will be provided by the base, by the voters. We do not see IYI Party members as very different from ourselves. We see them as people committed to the Republic, democracy, secularism, and Atatürk. I believe that IYI Party members will not want a municipality held by the CHP to be handed over to the AK Party or the MHP."

"THEY CANNOT FIND CANDIDATES"

Making assessments regarding Istanbul and Ankara, Özel said, "What polling companies tell me is that there is no one they haven't measured against Ekrem İmamoğlu in Istanbul and Mansur Yavaş in Ankara. We hear that they have measured the success chances of 20 names against Mr. Ekrem and 12 names against Mr. Mansur. But they still cannot find candidates who will challenge our candidates."

BAD NEWS FOR ERDOĞAN FROM A POLLSTER

Stating what he heard from polling companies, Özgür Özel relayed that a pollster told AKP President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan regarding Ankara and Istanbul, "You are looking for candidates who will lose."

STATEMENT ON IZMIR CANDIDATE

Making statements regarding the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayoral Candidate, Özel said, "İzmir is the stronghold of the CHP. We are scrutinizing İzmir very carefully. Last week, I sent 46 of our deputy colleagues. They toured for three days, and reports for every district are coming in. It is not correct to interpret this as Tunç Soyer not appearing in satisfaction polls. We are friends with him; we went to the same school, Bornova Anatolian High School. We are all looking for the best result."

Özel continued as follows:

"Following the Party Assembly meeting on Thursday, we are planning to announce the candidates, including those for metropolitan municipalities. On Friday, Mr. Ekrem will announce the district candidates for Istanbul, and I will be there as well."