21.02.2025 12:30
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has officially announced his candidacy for the CHP's presidential primary. Speaking about his candidacy, İmamoğlu said, "Today, by taking the first step towards a new beginning, I have officially applied to be the presidential candidate of the Republican People's Party, of which I am proud to be a member."
The Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), Ekrem İmamoğlu, officially applied through his lawyer to enter the primary election to determine the presidential candidate that the CHP will nominate in the next election. While signatures from deputies continue to be collected for the presidential candidacy within the CHP's parliamentary group, it has been claimed that more than 100 deputies have signed for İmamoğlu. The primary election, where the CHP will determine its candidate, will be held on March 23.
To apply, candidate candidates need the signatures of 20 deputies. In this context, on Tuesday, February 18, Giresun Deputy Elvan Işık Gezmiş gave the first signature for IMM President Ekrem İmamoğlu, initiating the signature process. According to the schedule, candidate candidates must submit their applications to the CHP Headquarters today. The MYK will announce the presidential candidates who have applied on Saturday, February 22.
FIRST STATEMENT FROM İMAMOĞLU
In his first statement regarding the issue, İmamoğlu said: "Today, by taking the first step of a new beginning, I officially applied to be the presidential candidate of the Republican People's Party, of which I am honored to be a member. We are embarking on a journey with our nation, which deserves to live humanely and longs for freedom, justice, prosperity, and unity.
We are embarking on a journey to make our state democratic and strong, our nation rich and peaceful, and our citizens equal and free. We will implement parliamentary democracy, the separation of powers, and checks and balances as soon as possible. We will prioritize democratic participation. We will address the concerns and anxieties of our nation and together revive hope and future dreams.
We will make justice the foundation of property, free the institutions of the state, science, art, sports, and media from partisanship, not see our opponents as enemies, and turn political competition into a fair, civilized, and honorable race in front of the nation. We will all take ownership of our country, our unity, our integrity, and the goal of a strong Turkey.
We will work hard, we will gain a lot, and we will share fairly. As a nation, we will increase our abundance. In this struggle, which we will walk with faith and hope, we will never get tired and we will never give up. We will shine our Republic, the legacy of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and our martyrs, like a star in its second century. With the strong participation and prayers of our nation, may our path be clear."