Statement from prominent figure in CHP regarding chairmanship: Will he be a candidate?

CHP Elazığ Deputy Gürsel Erol made a statement on his social media account following the interpretation of his recent assessments as a "bid for the party chairmanship."

Erol stated that the office of the CHP Chairman represents the party's corporate identity and historical responsibility beyond personal expectations. However, he emphasized that it is not correct to address the party's future, its standing in society, and its political influence solely through this office.

Expressing that his statements and initiatives have been interpreted differently in the press and on social media, Erol said that he has no preparations regarding a candidacy for the chairmanship.

Erol noted that their priorities are to make the CHP a hope for society once again, to form a strong team with individuals who have standing and reputation in society, and to rebuild the collective wisdom that will carry the party to power.

The CHP Chairmanship is an extremely important office that represents our party's corporate identity and historical responsibility, beyond personal expectations.

However, evaluating the future of the CHP, its standing in society, and its political influence solely through the chairmanship office...

— Gürsel Erol (@gurselerol62) August 20, 2026

The full text of Erol's statement is as follows:

"The CHP Chairmanship is an extremely important office that represents our party's corporate identity and historical responsibility, beyond personal expectations.

However, it is not correct to evaluate the future of the CHP, its standing in society, and its political influence solely through the chairmanship office.

Our primary responsibility in the coming period is to emerge from the crisis we are in and transform our party into a strong and integrated team movement, as it has been in our history.

Political responsibility is not about making personal future plans; it is about putting forward a corporate, permanent, and viable way out for our party that will find resonance in society.

In this context, although my statements and initiatives have been interpreted in the press and on social media as a bid for the chairmanship, I would like to clearly state that I have no such plan or expectation.

Our priority is to make the CHP a hope for society once again, to form a strong team with individuals who have standing and reputation in society, and to rebuild the collective wisdom that will carry the party to power."