CHP officials comment on Gürsel Tekin: 'We will not oppose any party'

Although there is no finalized early election in Turkey, the continued calls from the opposition in this direction and the CHP's decision to determine its presidential candidate through an internal vote have created an election atmosphere in the country. Evaluations also came from CHP officials regarding the primary election to be held on March 23, in which Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu is the sole candidate.

'THERE ARE THREE STRATEGIES'

Party officials stated that the AKP consistently ranks as the second party in polls and is trying to stop the CHP's march to power, saying, "They have three strategies: discrediting the CHP, intimidating society, and eliminating their opponent. For the first, they are appointing trustees, filing lawsuits, and conducting operations against mayors. For the second, they are detaining the TÜSİAD President, Ayşe Barım, journalists, and writers. They are telling society, 'You cannot speak against me. I will not let you speak.' For the third, they say, 'I cannot compete with İmamoğlu, I will get rid of him.' They are trying to intimidate him and disrupt his composure with files. As a final resort, they are trying to remove him from the picture with a political ban," they said.

VOTING RIGHTS FOR MEMBERS IN EVERY PROVINCE

Emphasizing that members will be able to vote in any province they wish, regardless of where they are registered, in the primary election, officials said, "We do not want to cause economic hardship for people. If they go to the relevant district presidency and say, 'I will cast my vote here,' they will be able to vote in the province they choose. The lists will be arranged accordingly." It was stated that the party's membership has reached 1 million 744 thousand 588, and a turnout of over 1 million is expected.

'THERE IS A GOVERNANCE PROBLEM, NOT AN OPPOSITION PROBLEM'

When asked about the ideas of former CHP Secretary General Gürsel Tekin regarding forming a party, party officials said, "If he sees it as appropriate, then so be it. We will not oppose any opposition party. Because Turkey does not have an opposition problem. Turkey has a governance problem. The AKP's potential to solve problems is exhausted. The problem itself is the AKP," they stated.

News Source: 12punto