No 'thawing' in CHP following Özel's visits

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel met with AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli following the March 31 Local Elections.

While the repercussions of these visits continue, Erdoğan's message of a 'thawing period' remains on the agenda.

CHP leader Özel stated that this period cannot be defined as a 'thawing' and gave the message that they will continue to be active on the ground. Tomorrow, Özel will convene the Central Executive Board in Soma on the anniversary of the Soma disaster.

According to Sarp Sağkal from Cumhuriyet newspaper, Özel will also come together with unappointed teachers and families concerned about their children's future at Istanbul's Saraçhane square on May 18, with a call for "secular education" and a "modern curriculum." The CHP's rallies, which began with an "education" theme, will continue with a rally to be held with retirees in Ankara Tandoğan on May 26.

Stating that the CHP will continue its rallies with different themes, party officials said, "We will also hold a rally with minimum wage earners who are expecting a raise in July. We are also considering holding our rally themed 'Justice'."

The officials stated, "The actions taken actually show why we call the process we are going through 'normalization' rather than 'thawing.' Our main goal is to eliminate polarization and ensure that the voices of those whose rights have been violated are heard more clearly. While ensuring this, for example, we have May 19 and Eid al-Adha coming up in the near future. We may see parties and leaders exchanging holiday greetings there as well."

News Source: 12punto