Tunç Soyer's third candidate remark for the Presidency: 'Beyond İmamoğlu and Yavaş...'

While discussions on early elections continue following the March 31 Local Elections, debates over the presidential candidate have begun within the CHP.

As the names of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) Mayor Mansur Yavaş come to the forefront for presidential candidacy, a notable statement has come from former İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer.

Responding to questions from Armağan Çağlayan on Ekol TV, Soyer's agenda included the potential CHP presidential candidate and the role of İzmir in the local elections.

Addressing the debates over the CHP's presidential candidate, Soyer said:

"If this race were based on ideas, then fine. If an idea were put forward as to why someone should be the candidate, perhaps counter-arguments would be presented. And thus, the right path would be found. Currently, it is only being discussed through personal preferences. Why shouldn't there be a 3rd candidate within the party besides İmamoğlu and Yavaş? Perceptions have overtaken facts, and in today's world, we sometimes realize the reality that the life you live is almost entirely composed of perceptions. We are so overwhelmed by perceptions that we move very far away from the point where we can extract the facts and see the truth. We are only trying to interpret and perceive life through perceptions."

Stating that he was saddened by not being nominated in the local elections, Soyer said:

“I worked for İzmir with great love and passion. I worked day and night. I never complained about this, I never got tired. Therefore, at first, I had the feeling that ‘the love was unrequited.’ Then I saw that it wasn't the issue; that love continues, and it continues mutually. But I had desired to serve for one more term. I was very saddened that it did not happen."