CHP's 21st Extraordinary Congress today: 2 rivals emerge against Özel, competition in the PM race, Shadow Cabinet, and İmamoğlu

The Republican People's Party (CHP) will convene its 21st Extraordinary Congress in Ankara on Sunday, April 6, in accordance with the decision taken to eliminate the threat of a trustee appointment.

In the congress where Chairman Özgür Özel is running for re-election, Antalya Muratpaşa Mayor Ümit Uysal and former deputy Berhan Şimşek have also announced their candidacies.

According to BBC reports, not only the chairman but also the 60-member Party Assembly (PM) and High Disciplinary Board (YDK) members will be determined at the congress, which will be attended by a total of 1,368 delegates.

Özel had called for an extraordinary congress to prevent a trustee from being appointed to the party following an investigation into allegations that delegates "voted in exchange for money," which had surfaced during the 38th Ordinary Congress held on November 4-5, 2023.

SLOGAN OF THE CONGRESS: "THE WILL BELONGS TO THE NATION"

The main slogan of the congress, which will be held at the Nazım Hikmet Cultural Center, was chosen as "the will belongs to the nation" as a message against the "trustee" debates.

The congress will be open to party members, but due to the limited capacity of the hall, only a certain number of people will be admitted. Side halls have been prepared for members of the press and guests. Only delegates, former chairmen, and guests of honor will be present in the hall, which has a capacity of approximately 1,600 people.

Özgür Özel is preparing to turn the congress into a rally. He will address party members at an event to be held next to the congress hall at 16:00. Additionally, a petition campaign will be launched for the release of Ekrem İmamoğlu.

KILIÇDAROĞLU'S ATTENDANCE EXPECTED

Former Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu had announced that he would not be a candidate. However, he had stated that he could attend the congress if invited. CHP leader Özel invited former chairmen Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Altan Öymen, Hikmet Çetin, and former SHP leader Murat Karayalçın to the congress. All former leaders are expected to attend.

THE SURPRISE OF ÜMİT UYSAL AND BERHAN ŞİMŞEK

Initially, it was thought that Özel would be the sole candidate. However, Ümit Uysal and Berhan Şimşek also announced that they would compete for the chairmanship. Delegate support is required for their candidacies to be formalized; for this, they must collect signatures from at least 5% of the registered delegates.

It is commented that this critical congress of the CHP will unite both the party base and the delegates, and will strengthen Özel's hand.

COMPETITION HEATS UP IN THE PM RACE

The real competition of the congress is expected to take place in the Party Assembly elections. The CHP administration decided to hold the election for the PM using the open list method. However, Özgür Özel is expected to prepare a "key list" to guide the delegates.

It is rumored that Özel, who is not expected to make radical changes in the PM following the success in the local elections, may include some experienced politicians in the management staff. It is stated that a special effort will be made to ensure that different views within the party are represented on the lists.

The opposition, on the other hand, aims to be influential through the PM. It has been learned that Istanbul deputy Oğuz Kaan Salıcı is preparing a counter-list, which he calls "balance and solidarity."

İMAMOĞLU-EFFECTIVE SHADOW CABINET

After the congress, Özel will determine the Central Executive Board (MYK) from within the new Party Assembly. In the 24-member MYK formed after the 38th Ordinary Congress, 18 people had formed the "shadow cabinet."

This time, it is on the agenda for the "shadow cabinet" to be structured not directly from the MYK, but in a way that will take an active role in the election campaign. The plans of Ekrem İmamoğlu, who has been declared a presidential candidate, to establish working offices in Ankara and Istanbul also point to this new structure.

It is being discussed in party corridors that the shadow cabinet will be shaped in line with İmamoğlu's preferences.