Mansur Yavaş breaks his silence: Clear response to resignation and presidential candidacy questions

The Republican People's Party (CHP) concluded its party bylaws congress at the beginning of September.

On the second day of the party congress, Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş, who took the podium after CHP leader Özgür Özel and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, expressed his frustration by stating that he had been informed only an hour earlier that he would be speaking, adding, "You are adding fuel to the fire of discord ignited by asking 'Ekrem or Mansur?'"

Following the 'speech crisis' at the party congress, it has been suggested that Mansur Yavaş is determined to run for President in 2028 and may resign from the CHP. Meanwhile, a social media post by independent Ankara MP Yüksel Arslan—who resigned from the IYI Party before the March 31 local elections by stating, "We must support Mansur Yavaş"—has sparked a new crisis.

It is alleged that Arslan, who once served as the chief of staff to Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş, targeted Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in a post where he stated, "Someone whose only concern is their own career and following the path laid out for them is called a 'Project Child,' not a 'Soldier of Mustafa Kemal.'"

YAVAŞ RESPONDS: 'DELETE THE TWEET'

Quoting Arslan's post, Yavaş stated, "My advice to him is to delete this tweet."

EXCLUSIVE: THERE IS NO CRISIS

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, regarding Arslan’s post, stated: "I find Mansur Yavaş's stance on this issue very constructive. He also said that he is uncomfortable with these types of approaches. We also evaluated the entire agenda with Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu. When I return to Turkey, the three of us will come together. There is no crisis."

Following these developments, it has been suggested in political circles that there is unrest within the CHP and that there are issues between Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and Mansur Yavaş.

Following the allegations that shook the agenda, Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş broke his silence. Speaking to Aytunç Erkin from Sözcü, Yavaş also made statements regarding his potential presidential candidacy.

YAVAŞ EXPRESSES FRUSTRATION: "I AM VERY, VERY UNCOMFORTABLE"

Speaking about the discussions regarding his potential presidential candidacy, Yavaş said:

“I am very, very uncomfortable. We should primarily focus on our own municipality and the work we have to do. Another reason why I am uncomfortable with these discussions is this: We are occupying the agenda. Yet, the agenda should be about retirees, hungry people, and the problems experienced in education.”

These things are not being discussed. They overshadow all of these debates. The topic that should be discussed on television is the grievances experienced by the public. We have no right to overshadow these! I am not saying a single word on this subject.”

"THEY ARE MAKING STATEMENTS THAT WILL STIR UP DISCORD"

Stating that lessons should be learned from the 'Who will be the candidate?' debates within the Table of Six, Yavaş continued as follows:

“I am looking at it now; provocative statements are being made, journalists and consultants are making statements that will stir up discord. A statement or two was made, but it stopped there; however, they need to be silenced.”

"THESE BENEFIT THE GOVERNMENT. IS IT NOT APPARENT?"

Touching upon the early election debates, Yavaş asked, "The opposition is pushing for an early election. They are right to do so. The public has started to make its voice heard. Arithmetically, unless the government says, ‘Yes, there is nothing left to do. Let us refresh our mandate,’ an election cannot be held, unfortunately. If it were to be held, it would start being discussed tomorrow. Trying to pit people against each other, speaking against them, and smearing them when there is nothing even on the table yet—these things benefit the government. Is it not apparent?"

IS HE CONSIDERING RESIGNING FROM THE CHP?

"Are they trying to pull you away from the CHP? Are you considering resigning or leaving?" Yavaş, who also responded to this question, stated the following:

"Everyone will try everything. They will do it from the inside and the outside. Those who engage in politics may set up their own games, but we are not in a position to fall for these games. We are standing our ground. I have no such thought as resigning; how could such a thing happen! No, no, no...

The public gave us the mandate, our party nominated us, and my duty is to carry out the best work that will serve as an example for Turkey. To make people say, 'These people govern the country well.' That is my goal. So that they will vote for us.

As you know, Ankara is the capital city where people from Central Anatolia have migrated. We have seen the results of this. Amasya, Kastamonu, Kütahya, Uşak—everywhere was won. Çorum was lost by a large margin. In the center, we increased our number from three to 16.