11.04.2025 12:20
The leader of the CHP, Özgür Özel, gave a noteworthy response to the question "What happens if Ekrem İmamoğlu does not run?" during a live broadcast he participated in. Özel stated, "It doesn't matter who the candidate is," and added, "In this context, let me say for the first time: whoever will get the highest votes, if Mr. Ekrem is available, he will be that candidate."
The Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is currently detained as part of a corruption investigation, was the subject of statements made by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel during a live broadcast he attended in the morning, before İmamoğlu appeared before the judge.
WHAT HAPPENS IF EKREM İMAMOĞLU DOES NOT RUN?
In response to the question, "What happens if Ekrem İmamoğlu does not run?", Özel made striking statements by saying, "It doesn't matter who the candidate is."
Özgür Özel stated that the campaign would be conducted by himself, the party organization, and other mayors, using the following expressions:
"Whether İmamoğlu is inside or outside, but a political ban has come, for example, the day he applies for candidacy, his diploma has still not been returned. I truly believe we will get that diploma reinstated, but they didn't do it or they imposed a political ban, so he cannot run. Is İmamoğlu outside? If he is outside, he will be on top of the bus, but together or in separate cities, the campaign will be conducted; one city he will do it, another city I will do it, another city Mansur Yavaş will do it, and another city our MPs will do it. In one place, Ali Mahir Başarır will get on the bus, in another place, Murat Emir will get on. In one place, the party's deputy chairpersons will be there. We will have an official candidate on paper, but we will conduct the campaign together. Mr. Ekrem will also get on the bus."
"MR. EKREM WILL WATCH FROM TELEVISION"
"Mr. Ekrem is both in prison and banned. Mr. Ekrem will watch from television, take notes, and we will consult. We will conduct the largest campaign in the world in 81 provinces. That election will turn into this: Should Ekrem İmamoğlu stay in prison or be free? You will turn it into a referendum. Should there be autocracy in Turkey or democracy? It doesn't matter who the candidate is."
"WHOEVER GETS THE HIGHEST VOTE..."
"In this context, let me say for the first time. Whoever will get the highest vote, if Mr. Ekrem is inside, that person will be the candidate, but that candidacy is made to lift his political ban, to get him out of prison, and to ensure that he becomes electable again, instead of Ekrem İmamoğlu. After Mr. Ekrem comes, that friend of ours who is the candidate will take on another duty. If Mr. Ekrem is in an executive role, he will take on the role of prime minister if it is prime minister, or president if it is president."