18.03.2025 20:30
As the diploma of the CHP's presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu was revoked, the question of what the main opposition party will do next has become a topic of curiosity. Party sources emphasized that they will not abandon the candidacy campaign and stated that they will pursue the legal appeal process to the end. Here is the CHP's roadmap moving forward...
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While the cancellation of İBB President Ekrem İmamoğlu's diploma by Istanbul University has hit the agenda like a bomb, it has brought İmamoğlu's presidential candidacy to mind. As the roadmap of the CHP for the future is questioned, this issue was discussed at the recent main opposition Central Executive Board meeting.
CHP WILL NOT CHANGE THE CANDIDACY TIMELINE
The CHP administration, which argues that the legal cancellation of İmamoğlu's diploma is not possible, has decided not to step back from the initiated campaign process. Accordingly, the primary election timeline will not be changed; on the contrary, the campaign process will be accelerated. Legal processes will be initiated against a possible cancellation decision from the judiciary.
"THIS WILL MAKE İMAMOĞLU EVEN BIGGER"
Officials, noting that the agenda regarding the cancellation of İmamoğlu's diploma has caused discomfort in the public, stated, "The person whose diploma will be debated in Turkey is not İmamoğlu, but someone else." They pointed out that the gap between the AK Party and the CHP has widened in favor of the CHP following the diploma process, saying, "This discussion does not benefit them. It makes İmamoğlu even bigger. According to the latest public opinion polls, there is a 3.5-point difference between us," they said.
"THERE WILL BE NO STEP BACK FROM THE CAMPAIGN PROCESS"
According to the information received, there will be no step back from the campaign process. The primary election timeline, which will be held on March 23, will not be changed, and the campaign process will be accelerated. According to CHP officials, the party will raise its demand for early elections. Legal processes will be initiated to reverse any possible cancellation decision from the judiciary.
Officials, stating that not only CHP members are participating in İmamoğlu's public meetings that started in Izmir, noted that the language used resonates with society, saying, "İmamoğlu is directly targeting Erdoğan. The perception in society that 'Erdoğan is an independent leader from the administration' is being dismantled. Decisions in almost every area in Turkey are made by a single person. Therefore, direct criticism is effective," they commented. The CHP administration expects a large turnout for the primary election. Party members express that more than 1 million CHP members will go to the polls on March 23, noting that İmamoğlu's city tours have increased motivation within the party.
HOW WILL THE LEGAL PROCESS WORK AFTER THE CANCELLATION DECISION?
In a briefing note prepared by İmamoğlu's lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan, the following information was provided regarding how the legal process will be conducted in the event of the cancellation of İmamoğlu's bachelor's diploma: "The cancellation of the diploma is a new administrative action in the form of the withdrawal of the administrative action. Therefore, a lawsuit will be filed against the administrative action in the Istanbul Administrative Courts. If the case results negatively, an appeal will be made to the Regional Administrative Court through the appellate process. As a result of the appellate review, it will go to the Council of State's 8th Chamber for a review. If no stay of execution decision is made during the lawsuit process, there will be no higher education graduation. Since this investigation is categorized as a 'judicial harassment' due to its jurisdictional deviation, a dual application will also be made to the Constitutional Court (AYM) and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in accordance with Article 18 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Since this process is an attempt to obstruct İmamoğlu's presidential candidacy, complaints will be filed against everyone who participates in this illegality and intervenes in the democratic election process for abuse of office, as well as for the crime of 'attempting to abolish the Constitution.'
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