Former CHP Chairman Altan Öymen was the guest on the program '12'den' with Tuncay Mollaveisoğlu: To those calculating that the CHP will fall into disarray...

Former CHP Chairman Altan Öymen was the guest on the program 12'den with Tuncay Mollaveisoğlu, broadcast on 12punto screens.

Former CHP Chairman Altan Öymen evaluated the strategy of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel to establish a dialogue with the President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Öymen stated that he generally finds Özel's normalization efforts correct, but that confidence-building measures are lacking.

UNPRECEDENTED EVENTS

While Mollaveisoğlu drew attention to the recent violent incidents and attacks on female members of parliament, Öymen stated that such events are unprecedented and that inter-party dialogues have remained insufficient. Öymen also said, "Now you look at the square, the situation... When we say normalization, this... First, second, once upon a time, meetings were held on serious issues between parties, between leaders, or between people with expertise."

STEPS TOWARD NORMALIZATION IN POLITICS

Upon Tuncay Mollaveisoğlu's question about normalization in politics, Öymen pointed out that while it is important for Özel to take the step toward normalization, confidence-building measures must be taken for this process to be more effective.

Öymen said the following:

"If the President had thought about this normalization step by also seeing its positive side, it would have been very beneficial for him as well," he said. Referring to the concept of 'confidence-building measures' used in foreign policy, Öymen emphasized that both sides must take certain steps in advance to mutually establish trust. Öymen added, "Preparing such an environment is important for negotiations to continue."

IS ESTABLISHING A DIALOGUE WITH ERDOĞAN THE RIGHT STEP?

Former CHP Chairman Altan Öymen stated that Özgür Özel's strategy of establishing a dialogue with Erdoğan is a correct step, but that this process has not been managed well enough. He expressed that the steps Özel took with good intentions have not found a response and that the CHP has not suffered any losses in this process. While stating, "Still with hope, perhaps there will be an environment of reconciliation or an environment to sit and talk again," Öymen emphasized that these efforts by the CHP have no harm and that, as a result, everyone would be in such an environment.

Öymen also emphasized that the events occurring in parliament and the current government's unconstitutional behaviors should be taken into account.

Responding to Tuncay Mollaveisoğlu's question regarding the investigation launched against Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Öymen said, "Demanding 3.5 years of imprisonment for a person like Kılıçdaroğlu is not something that can be comprehended."

Referring to the statement by Kılıçdaroğlu's lawyer Celal Çelik that "There is nothing," Öymen criticized Kılıçdaroğlu facing a prison sentence due to a statement he gave to a journalist.

Stating, "Lifting his immunity on this occasion is also not something that should happen," Öymen indicated that political bans and sentencing practices are not fair. Expressing that similar events in the past did not lead to such bad results, Öymen emphasized that this situation is different from past practices.

'I FIND IT QUITE APPROPRIATE'

Former CHP Chairman Altan Öymen evaluated the alliance strategies implemented by Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu before the elections. Öymen stated that unnecessary debates were avoided before the elections and that the party congress processes were conducted properly.

Öymen said, "The presidential election and other processes went properly. Actually, all these friends of ours did what was necessary." Reminding that the government formed an alliance with the MHP and that the AKP gained a threshold advantage with this alliance, Öymen expressed that it is necessary to strongly oppose this situation. Öymen also said, "This is your alliance with other parties, coming together... In the beginning, the Table of Six was going quite well. However, it broke down later."

Altan Öymen stated that this process was not predicted from the beginning and that no wrong initiative was taken, and that Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu conducted the negotiations well. Stating, "They also prepared projects together. It is clear that there are those who regret it," Öymen emphasized that he finds Kılıçdaroğlu's strategies successful.

Öymen also used the expressions, "When the pros and cons of the normalization step are put together, I find it quite appropriate. I also find it successful." Stating that the government will regret this process, Öymen said that the CHP took the right steps and that the friends elected in the new election also did what was necessary.

'ERDOĞAN MAY REGRET IT'

Former CHP Chairman Altan Öymen stated that President Erdoğan's withdrawal from the table could create great regret.

Öymen said that this move means missing opportunities for Erdoğan and that the economic situation is in a serious crisis.

Öymen said, "If Erdoğan could have used these opportunities well, the possibility of solving some existing issues would have increased, but now it is decreasing." Criticizing Turkey's economic situation, Öymen said, "The economic situation is a disaster in itself. A person who cannot bring bread home cannot buy a simit for their child. These are not exaggerated things, they are real cases." Stating that prices are rising rapidly and inflation has become a serious problem, Öymen criticized Erdoğan's economic policies and his approach to interest rates, emphasizing that such policies do not solve economic problems.

THE 'FOOL' CASE FILED AGAINST İMAMOĞLU

Former CHP Chairman Altan Öymen expressed that there may be political influences in the background of the "fool" case filed against Ekrem İmamoğlu. While questioning whether the case process is under the direct influence of Erdoğan, Öymen emphasized how contrary this is to democratic values.

Upon Tuncay Mollaveisoğlu bringing up the allegations that the case filed regarding Ekrem İmamoğlu's "fool" expression toward Süleyman Soylu is under Erdoğan's control, Öymen said, "Speaking in this way shows that there is a political intervention in the background of the case. The case is opened by the prosecutor, and the state administration must be independent in this process." Emphasizing how important democratic standards are in Turkey, Öymen said, "Whether Erdoğan has an influence on a case shows how much Turkey needs normalization in terms of democracy."

Drawing attention to the importance of judicial independence, Öymen said, "It is stated in our Constitution that the decisions of the courts cannot be influenced, and that not even suggestions can be made. Such influences should not exist." Expressing that Ekrem İmamoğlu's case has created a situation that increases concerns in society and politics, Öymen said, "I think that cases should be conducted in a way that is free from political influences."

'TURKEY IS A COUNTRY THAT CAN COPE WITH CRISES'

Former CHP Chairman Altan Öymen expressed that he has an optimistic perspective regarding Turkey's capacity to overcome difficulties. Upon Tuncay Mollaveisoğlu asking whether there is hope for Turkey's future, Öymen emphasized that the country has successfully overcome crises in the past.

Öymen said, "Turkey has experienced many troubles since 1923, but it preserved the same map by protecting its borders with the Treaty of Lausanne. Countries fighting in Europe at that time suffered great territorial losses and experienced loss of life. Turkey overcame these difficulties and has the capacity to overcome them in a similar way today."

However, Öymen stated that the current problems are also serious. Touching upon the difficulties experienced in areas such as national education and the economic situation, Öymen said, "The Ministry of National Education has changed many times, education programs are constantly changing. There are economic promises, but most of them are not fulfilled. These problems are serious and need to be solved."

Altan Öymen emphasized that Turkey has the capacity to overcome past difficulties but that current problems must be solved. In this context, he said, "There are difficulties ahead of Turkey, but I believe that our country has the capacity to overcome them."

EARLY ELECTION DISCUSSIONS

Former CHP Chairman Altan Öymen stated that the possibility of an early election could have significant consequences for the government. In his statement, Öymen mentioned that party officials and other people he spoke with think that holding an early election could be in the country's interest.

Öymen said, "The friends and party officials I spoke with think that if an early election were held, it could be better in the current situation. According to public opinion polls, a decline in the government's popularity is observed, and this decline leads to new issues coming to the agenda."

Stating that public opinion polls are followed weekly and that the government is experiencing losses on some issues, Öymen said, "I think that the time for elections could emerge spontaneously in line with current conditions without the need for forcing. Therefore, I think that early elections should be held in a more appropriate time frame."

CHARTER REFORM IN THE CHP IS VERY IMPORTANT

Former CHP Chairman Altan Öymen also made important statements about developments within the party and charter amendments.

Stating that past crises did not seriously affect the CHP, Öymen said, "There were no major debates in the congresses after the election. The friends who replaced Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu can continue their negotiations. The crises experienced in the past rarely turned into a major crisis."

Drawing attention to the importance of changes in the party's internal structure and charter reforms, Öymen said, "The changes planned to be made in the party's charter were something desired for a long time. I think these changes will make the party more democratic and active. Steps are being taken such as strengthening the place of women and youth within the party," while also stating that innovative measures should be developed on issues such as candidate determination and election procedures.

Stating that a commission is working for charter amendments, Öymen said, "The commission will continue its duty during the congress and will present the final form to the general assemblies. We were called to contribute to this process with our past experiences, and we shared what came to our minds."

Öymen stated that he is hopeful for the future of the CHP and believes that the reforms within the party will yield positive results.

THE CHP'S BASIC PRINCIPLES

Former CHP Chairman Altan Öymen made important statements about the party's basic principles and program. Öymen stated that the CHP's principles are compatible with practical life and are sustainable without changing over time.

Referring to the historical origins of the CHP's principles, Öymen said, "The CHP's program emerged from within practical life. Principles such as nationalism, populism, statism, secularism, and revolutionism form the foundations of Turkey's political and social structure. These principles were shaped in accordance with the needs of the people, especially during and after the War of Independence."

Reminding that the principle of nationalism was referred to as nationalists in both local and foreign press during the War of Independence, Öymen said, "Nationalism was a movement that defended the sovereignty and independence of the people. Populism, on the other hand, aimed for a classless and privileged-free order. This understanding was based on the abolition of titles and the equality of the people."

Touching upon the historical context of the principle of statism, Öymen said, "During the 1930 World Depression, even capitalist countries re-adopted the principle of statism. Turkey also benefited by applying the principle of statism without experiencing a major economic crisis during this period."

Defining secularism as an indispensable element of democracy, Öymen said, "Secularism is a must for democracy and is a principle that Turkey must adapt to on the path to modernity. The importance of secularism is better understood with reverse examples."

Altan Öymen emphasized that these principles of the CHP contributed to Turkey's coping with various crises and its modernization, and that these principles are sustainable without changing over time.

News Source : 12punto