Surprise move from CHP: They will hold a rally in that AKP stronghold after a 14-year hiatus

The Republican People's Party (CHP) is preparing to hold a rally on June 14 in Bayburt, a province where it has not held a rally for 14 years and which is seen as one of the "strongholds of the AKP."

Bayburt, which was the only province to remain silent while protests were held in 80 provinces during the 2013 Gezi protests, also drew attention in 2022 as one of only three provinces where no protests were held against the decision to imprison Ekrem İmamoğlu. Bayburt was one of those provinces.

"THE ENTHUSIASM IN YOZGAT GAVE US COURAGE"

CHP Bayburt Provincial Chair Haktan Yücel explained to Sözcü newspaper columnist Saygı Öztürk how the decision for the rally was made. Yücel stated that he was impressed by the crowd and the enthusiastic atmosphere he saw at the rally held in Yozgat, and that he called CHP Chairman Özgür Özel to say that they wanted to organize a similar event in Bayburt. Following this conversation, the rally date was set for June 14.

The 36-year-old Provincial Chair Yücel stated that efforts are underway to ensure the rally is held with strong participation. He announced that invitations have also been sent to Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş and Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan.

There are two districts in Bayburt. The Aydıntepe Municipality is governed by the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and the Demirözü Municipality is governed by the Justice and Development Party (AKP). The Mayor of Bayburt is also from the AKP. Stating that the city has 180 villages, Yücel said that invitations to the rally are being extended in these villages. Expressing that the CHP has not made any such call for this rally for many years, Yücel also said that citizens were surprised by this invitation.

It is stated that not only the party organization but also members of parliament will take to the field as part of the rally preparations. It was stated that CHP members of parliament will come to Bayburt after the holiday, and that efforts are being made to ensure broad participation by establishing contact with non-governmental organizations and associations. The fact that Deputy Chairman in charge of Local Governments Gökhan Zeybek is also from Bayburt is seen as an important advantage for the organization of the rally.

"WE WILL GO DOWN IN BAYBURT'S HISTORY"

Provincial Chair Yücel stated that the rally would be an important development not only for the CHP but also for the political history of Bayburt, and said the following:

"On June 14, we will make the Bayburt square thunder. We are making our call to everyone. We are addressing not only our party members but all our citizens. We want them to attend our rally regardless of their party affiliation. The last rally was held in 2011, when Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu was the Chairman. 14 years have passed. This rally will turn a new page in politics in Bayburt."