18.03.2025 19:10
The President of the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, Mansur Yavaş, made a statement regarding the cancellation of İBB President Ekrem İmamoğlu's university diploma by Istanbul University, saying, "I am announcing to the public that I will suspend my decision to evaluate my candidacy for the presidency until this unlawfulness is resolved."
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İstanbul University announced to the public that it has canceled the diploma of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
In the statement made by the university, it was noted that a total of 28 diplomas have been canceled. While this decision has caused a significant uproar, İmamoğlu's lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan stated in his announcement that the decision is not null and void.
MANAGEMENT DECISION FROM MANSUR YAVAŞ
The decision made regarding İmamoğlu has led to reactions; a notable statement came from Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş.
Previously stating "We will evaluate when the time comes" regarding his candidacy for the presidency, Yavaş announced that he has put this decision on hold. Yavaş wrote, "I declare to the public that I will be by our President Ekrem's side at every moment of this legal and political process, and that I will put my decision of 'I will evaluate my candidacy for the presidency when the time comes,' which I expressed at the previous tripartite table, on hold until this unlawfulness is resolved."
"TURKISH DEMOCRACY HAS ENTERED A DIFFERENT PHASE"
Yavaş's full statement is as follows: "After the decision to cancel the diploma of our Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor, my colleague Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu, unfortunately, Turkish democracy has entered a different phase."
It should be reminded that our Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has constitutionally obtained the right to participate in the primary election method determined by our Party Assembly, with the signatures of the vast majority of our parliamentary group authorized to determine the presidential candidate of our party.
Eliminating competitors in a manner inconsistent with democracy is primarily the greatest harm that can be done to Turkey and to the democracy that has been institutionalized for decades. The cancellation of Ekrem İmamoğlu's diploma is contrary to legal stability and the principles of the rule of law. Allowing this is the greatest betrayal to this country and its democracy.
"WE WILL TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS"
We want everyone to know that all legal processes will be initiated against the decision made by Istanbul University today, and that necessary steps will be taken against this decision that disregards the Constitution and tramples on the law, under the leadership of our General Center.
No one should think that we will remain silent or that we will be pleased with the unlawful deprivation of İmamoğlu's candidacy rights. I do not accept this injustice done to our President Ekrem.
CANDIDACY DECISION
I declare to the public that I will be by our President Ekrem's side at every moment of this legal and political process, and that I will put my decision of 'I will evaluate my candidacy for the presidency when the time comes,' which I expressed at the previous tripartite table, on hold until this unlawfulness is resolved.
Furthermore, we will not remain silent against all injustices and undemocratic interventions. No one should doubt that we will fight the strongest battle as the Republican People's Party, together with our parliamentary group, our provincial heads, our organization, our mayors, all our members, and all citizens who believe in democracy.
"WE STAND BY MY PRESIDENT EKREM'S JUST FIGHT"
No one should underestimate our sense of solidarity within the CHP, and let them not forget that we will not lose this unity even in the face of the highest offices. Especially, let them not try to equate us with those who try to 'take advantage of the flood.'
We will continue to stand against every step that casts a shadow on the rule of law in Turkey and to fight for justice and democracy. My President Ekrem; we are with you until the end of your just struggle."
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