Statement from CHP's Sevda Erdan Kılıç ahead of the party congress

Republican People's Party (CHP) İzmir MP Sevda Erdan Kılıç released a written statement ahead of the 21st Extraordinary Congress, which will take place on Sunday, April 6. Reaffirming her commitment to the CHP's institutional identity and core values, Kılıç expressed her view that the negative political climate currently prevailing within the party cannot be resolved through the congress, and announced that she will not be a candidate for any management position.

"I HAVE REMAINED COMMITTED TO OUR PARTY'S CORE VALUES"

Stating that she has built her political career on the principles of "clean language, clean politics, and clean politicians," Kılıç included the following remarks in her statement:

"The Republican People's Party is a deep-rooted party that has defended the fundamental values of the Republic of Turkey since its foundation and has adopted the principles of democracy, secularism, social justice, and the rule of law. I have always been honored to be a member of this esteemed institution."

"The foundation of my political approach is based on the principles of clean language, clean politics, and clean politicians. Without compromising these principles and by remaining committed to our party's core values, I have strived and will continue to strive to produce solutions to the real problems of our people."

"THE CONGRESS WILL NOT PROVIDE ANSWERS TO OUR PARTY'S PROBLEMS"

Kılıç argued that the political climate that emerged following the 38th Ordinary Congress still persists, that intra-party dialogue is lacking, and that collective wisdom is not being utilized, noting that her expectations for the 21st Extraordinary Congress are low.

"Unfortunately, in an environment where the negative intra-party political climate that emerged after the 38th Ordinary Congress continues, dialogue channels are closed, democratic representation within the party cannot be ensured, and party policies are not determined through collective wisdom; I am of the opinion that the 21st Extraordinary Congress, which will be held on Sunday, April 6, 2025, with the same perspective, will not bring solutions to our party's internal issues."

"I am of the opinion that it will not be able to provide a strong unity and solidarity that would create a response to the widespread lawlessness in our country, the deepening economic crisis, increasing hunger and poverty, unemployment, the collapse of the education and health systems, violence against women and children, environmental problems, and in short, the real problems on our people's agenda."

"I WILL NOT BE A CANDIDATE FOR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS"

Announcing that for all these reasons she will not be a candidate for any management position at the congress, Kılıç emphasized that she maintains her faith in the CHP's institutional future:

"For this reason, I have decided not to be a candidate for management positions at the said congress."

"Throughout my political life, I have always taken care to engage in politics without mortgaging the will of our delegates and without ignoring our organizations. I hope that the congress will be held with an open list and that an environment will be provided where our friends who are candidates for the boards of directors can compete under equal conditions."

Addressing party members at the end of her statement, Kılıç expressed that the CHP is an "ocean" and that what matters is to protect the core values of this great structure and carry it into the future:

"The Republican People's Party is an ocean, and we are each a drop in this ocean. The Republic and the Republican People's Party will continue to exist even without us. What is important is to protect our party's values and carry them into the future. I wish for a congress where the free will of our esteemed delegates is reflected in the ballot box, and I wish success to my friends who are seeking office at the 21st Extraordinary Congress."

News Source: 12punto