Özgür Özel puts a stop to crony appointments in CHP municipalities! 'I won't show any mercy!'

Appointments made in Bursa and Balıkesir, which shifted from the AKP to the CHP in the March 31 Local Elections, have become a major topic of discussion.

While the appointment of CHP Mayor Mustafa Bozbey's nephew and sister-in-law to municipal staff positions sparked reactions, Gökhan Sarı, the older brother of CHP MP Serkan Sarı, was also appointed to municipal staff in Balıkesir.

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel put a stop to the appointments that caused public outcry.

Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey was called, and his nephew's appointment was rescinded. The appointment of Gökhan Sarı, the brother of CHP MP Serkan Sarı, in Balıkesir was also halted. Kırşehir Mayor Selahattin Ekicioğlu had appointed his brother-in-law and his wife's brother-in-law, while Yüreğir Mayor Ali Demirçalı had appointed his sister's son as deputy mayors. These mayors were notified to "rescind the appointments."

"I WON'T SHOW ANY MERCY!"

Speaking to İsmail Saymaz from Sözcü, Özel said the following regarding the appointments:

“No matter how qualified the relatives of MPs or mayors may be, in a place where the AKP engages in so much nepotism, we cannot explain these types of appointments to anyone. In a place with this much unemployment and poverty, such actions fundamentally shake the trust placed in the CHP. We have no compromises. We never accept it. I am the one showing the strongest reaction. We will never allow it from now on. The appointments must be rescinded. Otherwise, we will do whatever is necessary within the party's legal framework. I can forgive every personal slight against me, every mistake in the party. But we cannot show any mercy to those involved in nepotism, cronyism, or financial misconduct in municipalities.

I haven't done it in the past. We have three municipalities in Bursa. I won't do it today either. And I won't show any mercy to those who do.”

"DO NOT ATTEMPT SUCH THINGS"

Stating that they will monitor such appointments, Özel said:

“I even said, ‘Go on alert.’ There are WhatsApp groups belonging to the mayors. I said, ‘Write there: The chairman is personally monitoring this, do not even attempt such things.’”

ÖZEL'S STATEMENT ON TAHA HÜSEYİN KARAGÖZ

On the other hand, Özgür Özel also noted the following regarding his meeting with journalist Taha Hüseyin Karagöz, known for his proximity to the government:

“Years ago, he invited me to a program, and I went. We evaluated that we reached the opposing side well by giving the clearest answers to his toughest questions. He calls during holidays. Once, I was at the parliament. He called, and we greeted each other in the lobby. He called recently. He said, ‘I want to stop by Özgür Bey. I have five minutes of business.’ While he was visiting all the groups on Tuesday, he came to me as well. He said, ‘I’m getting married.’ He gave me an invitation. We sat down, chatted for five minutes, and he left. It is an extremely human thing. He is not a very popular or well-liked journalist in our camp. Many of our views are diametrically opposed. He asked me the harshest criticisms and the most difficult questions on the program. But you cannot turn away someone who comes to give a wedding invitation at the door. You cannot say, ‘I won’t meet with you.’”

News Source: 12punto