11.09.2025 17:10
The co-chairs of the DEM Party, Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan, visited CHP leader Özgür Özel at his office in Istanbul. Bakırhan stated that the visit was not just a courtesy call, saying, "The right to vote and be elected must be respected, and we will continue our struggle to bring the country to democracy."
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Co-Chairs of the DEM Party, Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan, visited the office of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel in Istanbul. In the statements made after the visit, the emphasis on democracy and the right to vote was prominent.
"THIS IS NOT JUST A COURTESY VISIT"
Speaking to the press, DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan stated that the visit was not merely for courtesy, saying, "This is a visit to show a common will against unlawful, anti-democratic practices."
"RESPECT FOR THE RIGHT TO VOTE MUST BE SHOWN"
Bakırhan emphasized that the government should stop interfering with elected wills, stating, "Respect must be shown for the right to vote and be elected. This is one of the most important conditions that cannot be ignored. This country belongs to all of us. We will continue our struggle to bring this country to democracy and stability."
Highlights from Özel's statements;
"Our intention is not to stir up the streets, but to prevent violations of homes! The name of the resistance here in law and conscience is legitimate defense.
The title deed of the building is with us, at the Headquarters... This is the Headquarters Working Office, and the Provincial Presidency is the empty second floor of a two-story building. Of course, we will not hand this over to a trustee. We worked today, and we will work again when we come tomorrow. In response, the Governor of Istanbul wrote to Ankara after 3 days. They are not entering the address change into the system by the order of the Minister of Interior. If they did, there would be no one here that the Headquarters does not want.
We are standing tall, we are here, and from now on, we will continue to follow these processes with the utmost determination and diligence. They cannot make us the opposition party of Her Majesty. They cannot turn us from a political party that poses a threat to them into a political party without hopes of power.
We are aware that they are trying to undermine the will expressed by the party through correct decisions within its historical consistency and to push CHP out of the processes. CHP will stand where it should be, speak where it should speak, and fight where it should fight."
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