Reaction from within CHP to primary elections: This is not the right method

Mersin Metropolitan Municipality (MBB) Mayor Vahap Seçer met with a group of journalists at his office to evaluate the current agenda. Responding to questions from Nuray Babacan of Nefes,  Seçer drew attention to the developments following Öcalan's call and stated, "The CHP needs to be involved in this process."

Touching upon the CHP's decision to determine its presidential candidate through a primary election, Seçer stated that he does not believe this method is the right approach. Expressing that he has shared his views on the matter with the party leadership, Seçer said, "I do not see the determination of the presidential candidate through a primary election as the right method. However, if this decision has been made, there is nothing more to be done."

"We have learned to establish a dialogue with right-wing voters"

In response to the question, "Has the spirit of the March 31 victory been lost?", Seçer replied:

"I do not interpret it as a victory. I interpret it as an election win. Our rise and their decline met on March 31. You can even go back a bit further. During the Kemal [Kılıçdaroğlu] era, the CHP fought a struggle with both rights and wrongs. During that period, right-wing voters learned to vote for the CHP. We learned to appeal to right-wing voters, to reach out to them, and to establish a dialogue with them. In this sense, the 2024 elections are the result of a long process. Relatively speaking, the election results showed us in a strong position."

"We are still a few steps ahead of the government in the field"

There was a very sharp increase in votes in Mersin. Five years after the first year, there was a 15 percent increase in votes. About 150,000 new voter votes were gained. Who are they? They are entirely right-wing voters. Municipalities still have a significant influence. In politics, municipalities are a very great power. There are two offices closest to the public; one is the neighborhood headman (muhtar), and the other is the mayor. Today, municipalities keep the hope of the government alive. Naturally, municipalities are still important. We are still a few steps ahead of the government in the field. I am a son of this party. What I say is not misunderstood by anyone. Because I am trying to tell the truth. I desire for us to be stronger. Despite these shortcomings or our mistakes, our municipalities are doing well. At the Ankara headquarters level, we have discussed many things, from normalization to the presidential candidacy. These are also realities. The party will resolve them in time."

"MBB's satisfaction rate is 75 percent"

When asked, "The Headquarters is conducting satisfaction surveys specifically for municipalities. What is the situation in Mersin in these surveys?" Seçer responded as follows:

"The satisfaction rates for mayors and municipalities are different. According to the surveys conducted by the Headquarters, the satisfaction rate for the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality is 75 percent. In the mayoral satisfaction survey we conducted ourselves, the satisfaction rate is 82 percent. The average satisfaction rate for CHP-run municipalities in general is 58 percent. The work we do here requires continuity. For example, we built a daycare center at the vegetable and fruit wholesale market. Can there be a daycare at a wholesale market? This is a political message. The reading room on the beach is a political message; it is a rebellion against rent-seeking. Now we are going to build a second one, right next to the most luxurious hotel. This is a political uprising. Continuity in the state is essential. A system has been established in Mersin such that whoever comes—whether it's Vahap or someone else—it will continue. It is necessary to mentor experienced people and determine policy based on experiences within the party. Many mayors do not have such a background. They are operating in a vacuum; that is not how municipal governance works."

"Political parties that came together in the previous election may take a different position"

When asked, "Will the success of the municipalities be enough to bring the CHP to power?" Seçer stated the following:

"There are many factors. Municipalities will be effective. But we are going through a terrible economic hardship and a period of high cost of living. With the presidential system, the state mechanism has reached a point where positions previously held by politicians are now managed by bureaucrats. This is a negative aspect in politics, a disadvantage. The Minister of Family and Social Services does not perform their duties politically. They act as a bureaucrat, looking to do things that will please the President and fawning over him. But a political minister reflects the worldview and ideals of their party and themselves to society. Naturally, in this system, municipalities come to the fore. I say, 'Look, we are building the best roads.' Or I work day and night, without regard for weekends. Because I am a politician. But there are also other factors. Political developments in Turkey... One of the fundamental issues is the Kurdish question, which is on the agenda a lot today. This has evolved into a new process, and it seems that there will be some developments. If this is perceived well by society, or if the result ultimately satisfies society, it will affect the elections. It will bring those involved in this matter as a political institution closer together. And the difference between the previous election and the upcoming one will emerge in terms of the conjuncture. In other words, the political parties that came together in the previous election might take a different position."

"The issue the CHP should focus on entirely should be poverty and the high cost of living"

There may be some different developments in the upcoming elections. Constitutional amendment is on the agenda. This is extremely important. The changes to be made will determine both the candidate and the election date. If such a change does not happen, you have to make a decision for an early election. You need the support of the opposition; you need 360 votes. As a party, we must rapidly focus on the high cost of living, economic difficulties, and poverty, which are Turkey's primary problems, through our municipalities. People are not interested in the topics that politicians and journalists are interested in. The issue the CHP should focus on entirely should be poverty and the high cost of living. We are not in power. We have a duty in Parliament. We will support the laws that society needs and oppose those that it does not. We have a supervisory duty. We will use the oversight mechanism with all its instruments in the most powerful way. We will ask questions, submit motions, and submit parliamentary inquiry motions. We will use all instruments that will expose corruption, injustices, and illegalities. Parliament will perform this duty. Local governments will also play a leading role in the fight against poverty, which is the most fundamental problem. This is what we will do."

"We will tell the citizens concretely what we will do"

We will tell the citizens concretely what we will do. 'If the issue is poverty, this is how we will solve it when we come to power. If the issue is the rule of law in Turkey, an independent and impartial judiciary, or freedom of expression, this is how we will solve it. If the issue is the Kurdish question, these are our views in concrete terms.' When citizens listen to us, they should be able to say, 'Look, these people will solve these problems.' At the point they say this, the 38 to 40 percent of undecided voters in the polls will start to decrease. The opposition will provide confidence. It can do this. The rhetoric and the examples—meaning the example is me; the municipality. The rhetoric is the party leader's."

When asked whether the party headquarters had managed this process incompletely or incorrectly, Seçer said, "We will try to do it all together. I have shared with you what should be done. I am also sharing it with them. Whether it is the party leader or other people we need to sit down and talk with, we are talking."

"The election we will hold on March 23 will be to reveal the intention of the party organization"

When asked, "There is a prior assumption within the CHP management that when Ekrem İmamoğlu becomes the candidate and hits the campaign trail, the actions you described—such as speaking concretely and giving confidence to the public—will be realized. What do you think?" Seçer replied, "Everything I have said is independent of the presidential candidate. We do not currently have an official presidential candidate. We will not have one after March 23 either. The election we will hold on March 23 will be to reveal the intention of the party organization. When the official election calendar is announced by the YSK (Supreme Election Council), there is a process for parties to determine their presidential candidates. The law is clear; it says the parliamentary group determines it. Or one goes and collects 100,000 signatures. Therefore, everything I have described is about party policies, party management, and what the party should expect from whom and what it should say."

When asked, "It is being voiced that a dual structure could emerge in the party after the primary election and that this could harm the party. Do you agree?" Seçer said, "These are things that are within the realm of possibility. This process will have complications. This is one of them. We must foresee this and take measures to prevent it. The people who will do this are primarily the party leader, the party management, and our candidate who will emerge from the primary election."

"If weapons are being laid down on one side, you have to put something in their place"

When asked for his assessment regarding the developments following the call by terrorist organization PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, Seçer stated the following:

"Of course, I wish for it to have a positive outcome. It is a problem that drains the energy of society, causes trauma to the public, and one where we have experienced trauma in every aspect—financially and sociologically. We want this to end. But there is a reality; you cannot just say overnight, 'Let us make a call, let the terrorist organization leader come out, make a statement, let us lay down arms, hold a congress, and dissolve the organization.' We do not know what they are doing or how they are doing it. They have not provided information to the opposition until today. But from now on, if the organization is laying down arms, dissolving itself, saying 'We have given up on armed struggle, we are entering a new process,' and initiating a process where they prioritize democratic politics, this could be an opportunity to strengthen democratic channels. The demand for democratic politics strengthens democratic channels in Turkey. There is a demand for a legal basis. You need to draw a legal framework, a legislative framework. In this sense, it could be beneficial. If arms are being laid down on one side, you must put something in their place. You need to draw a legal framework for democratic politics and for this process to progress strongly without being derailed."

"It is impossible to seek stability where there is no sincerity"

If it is conducted transparently, if the sensitivities of society are prioritized, and if cooperation can be established with political parties one-on-one or openly to the public before decisions are made, I believe the process will yield successful results. Everyone who contributes to this process can find social support. If a firm will is not demonstrated, there is no chance for this to succeed. Fundamental conditions must be met. The government side denies allegations of bargaining, constitutional amendments, or calculations regarding domestic politics. We hope what they say is true. If not, the conditions we mentioned will not have been met. It is impossible to seek stability where there is no sincerity. This process will be derailed."

"We cannot remain spectators to this, we cannot be independent of it"

When asked, "How do you interpret your party's position in this process?" Seçer spoke as follows:

"My party has been extremely cautious and has made correct statements since this process came to the agenda. The latest statement made by our Chairman was, in my opinion, quite satisfactory. There is social sensitivity, and my party cares about this. We are talking about a process that has been going on for 40 years, during which security forces have been martyred. This is an important sensitivity for this society. But there is no issue regarding which the CHP says 'but' or 'however.' If the process is truly to be conducted and concluded within the framework of our fundamental principles and values, we will certainly contribute. We cannot remain spectators to this, we cannot be independent of it. This will be an extremely good development for our country as well. I suppose they will carry out this process by learning lessons from the previous one. Remember, at that time, a framework law was passed in parliament. That framework law became void. It was a law that protected those who managed and conducted that process, but they all went to prison. It also revealed how insincere and hollow it was."

"The CHP must be involved and active in the process"

In this process, two parties are extremely important: the CHP and the MHP. We are the founding party. The MHP has its own sensitivities. In the previous process, the CHP followed it cautiously as well. Back then, the AK Party carried out this process alone, together with the HDP of that period. But now, they are carrying out the process by taking the MHP along with them and in unity with the DEM. There is a big difference between then and now. The MHP is currently at the very top of the process. If the CHP is involved in this matter and if this process proceeds with cooperation in line with the CHP's concerns or views, the probability of success is very high. The CHP must be involved and active in the process. We cannot find a solution by watching. We cannot make a contribution by just watching and criticizing. We cannot convince society either."

"This is not a legal decision, it is a political decision"

Seçer responded to the question, "We experienced the 'urban consensus' process in the previous elections. Trustees were appointed to many municipalities. One of them is your Akdeniz district. Do you have any concerns for Mersin and its districts?" as follows:

"I don't even want to think about these things for Mersin. The Akdeniz Municipality had a special situation. It was the only municipality held by the DEM Party outside of the East and Southeast. That district experienced a very unsuccessful AK Party administration in the previous term. The appointment of a trustee stems from both the general view of the DEM Party and the government's specific view toward Akdeniz. They have set their sights on that. Otherwise, the Akdeniz Mayor is an extremely successful mayor. I say this with an impartial eye. Was he involved in any act or action that required the appointment of a trustee? Of course, the judiciary knows that. But I visited him in Kırşehir Prison. He shared the contents of the file with me. If a trustee is appointed to that municipality based on those findings, this is not a legal decision, it is a political decision. We will see who history proves right in the coming days."

"Their only goal for Mr. İmamoğlu is to weaken him and prevent him from being a candidate if possible"

Seçer also evaluated the lawsuits filed and investigations launched against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu as follows:

"A special process is being carried out against Mr. İmamoğlu. Their only goal is to weaken him and prevent him from being a candidate if possible. Because let's admit that he is a politician with a very high chance of success in elections if he becomes a candidate. We must show the necessary resistance against every illegality they commit. We must create public opinion on this matter. Beyond complaining that 'what can we do, there is nothing we can do, they are using the judiciary as a stick, politics has come under tutelage,' we must express our reaction in the strongest way possible. We must show the public that the CHP is united. We must not present a fragmented image. In politics and in democracies, the greatest power is the power of the people. As long as we have the power of the people behind us, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome."

"We can erode that 38 percent undecided segment and ensure the CHP comes in first"

Seçer responded to the question, "It is commented that there is a great economic squeeze in society, but the objection forming among the public is not directed toward the CHP. The rate of undecided voters in polls is still very high. In this sense, does your party have a shortcoming? If so, what should your party do to overcome this?" as follows:

"The fact that undecided voters remain the largest group shows this. We must instill confidence in these people so that we can secure their support. However, we have not been able to create such an environment. We still do not provide them with confidence. In the coming period, through the performance of our municipalities and the rhetoric of the headquarters, we can melt away that 38 percent slice of undecided voters and ensure the CHP becomes the leading party by offering concrete solutions that convince and reassure the citizens."

"One should not join just to increase our numbers numerically, just to increase our vote count"

When asked, "There has been criticism regarding the recent transfers to your party. How do you evaluate the transfers of members of parliament?" Seçer replied, "They should be selective on this issue. Can you just take anyone who comes along? Your numbers might increase quantitatively. But tell me what these people will add to you. Will it be a loss or a gain? These are names that have nothing to do with the party's worldview. There are even people who have said, 'I do not share this worldview.' Of course, if they want to engage in politics with us and like our party's views, they should come, but one should not join just to increase our numbers numerically. One cannot act so unprincipled. Before these elections, some even said, 'These people cannot even manage Pursaklar.' There are those who said they did not vote for the CHP. These recent transfers have saddened us greatly."

News Source: 12punto