İmamoğlu's response to Mansur Yavaş that will be widely discussed.

12.03.2025 00:50

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu commented on Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş's statements regarding his candidacy, saying, "None of Mansur Yavaş's statements hurt me. What concerns me is the three-way table where we talk face to face and make joint decisions. Candidacy is not anyone's private property." İmamoğlu also mentioned that he does not believe Yavaş will consider himself a rival by deciding to run for candidacy.

The Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), Ekrem İmamoğlu, made evaluations regarding the agenda during a live broadcast program he attended.

INVESTIGATION ON VEDAT MİLOR'S CITY RESTAURANT

Imamoğlu criticized the investigation launched against Vedat Milor after visiting the City Restaurant in Istanbul, stating, "I met Vedat Milor. I called him to thank him. This is not a commercial enterprise, it is a service. A retired person who cannot even put money in his grandchild's or child's pocket is eating a meal that he cannot afford outside for 250 lira with just 40 lira. You present this as a competitor and feel the need to intervene with anger. This is pathetic. I am a fan of Vedat Milor. I have been watching him for years. The only connection I have is watching him on television. He emphasizes the value of providing this service in such days. Many people, from artists to writers, have talked about this. Shame on you. I have nothing more to say," he expressed, criticizing the covert advertising investigation opened against Vedat Milor, who published a video after visiting City Restaurants.

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDACY

Regarding the CHP's initiation of the primary election process for the presidential candidate, İmamoğlu stated: "In this period, the CHP is making a decision. The CHP is making a democratic revolution that will go down in the history of the Republic of Turkey. And it says: 'I will determine my candidate early. I will do this through a primary election.' If you look at the normal calendar of the YSK, it becomes clear more than 50 days in advance. At most 2 months. 'Am I obliged to wait for the YSK's decision?' says our party. Let's go back to the 2018 general elections. The candidacy of Muharrem İnce was announced 40 days before the elections. What will you explain in 40 days? A different model of that day was presented to us. Almost every party nominated its leader, except for the CHP. We lost the elections with this perspective. In the 2023 elections, the opposition developed a different method. 6 parties came together and formed an alliance. A lot of discussions took place. We had many shortcomings and problems. 6 parties nominated our Chairman as a candidate. If I remember correctly, it was more than 50 days before the elections. As we were heading to the second round, we became 7 parties with the participation of the Victory Party. Again, we lost the election.

The rules are determined by the government. They presented us with a presidential system called the 2017 Constitution. There, different dynamics were formulated for forming alliances. This formulated mechanism is known by the one who creates it, but the process is one that wins the election until it is understood by the observer. We have been the losers for two elections. The issues of Turkey are heavier than ever. Each one is important. NATO, US relations, Syria, Cyprus... All issues will be addressed. The cadres will be placed for the peace of the country. Many problems were experienced with the mechanisms established with the leaders of the 6 parties. In today's process, the CHP is starting another period. It says primary election, I will determine the candidate early, our candidate will study for the exam."

"WE WENT TO THE POLLS WITHOUT TIME TO RESPOND TO MONTAGE VIDEOS IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION"

Pointing out that the timing of the candidacy is correct, İmamoğlu continued his words: "For 28 days, the violence has increased. The process that started with the expert Satılmış Bey kept us busy with a different agenda every day. I am fighting against these. They will do the dirtiest part of this dirty struggle 60-70 days before the elections. Remember, when Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu was a candidate, President Erdoğan normalized the montages. He confessed that what they did was a montage, and that the films published about Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu and us were montages. They did these. At that time, we went to the polls without having time to respond to these. I am fighting against these from today.

"WE WILL NEVER DO TO THEM WHAT THEY HAVE DONE TO US"

Despite all their cruelty, we will establish a system that does not hurt anyone. In this country, we will never do to them what these people have done to us. We will never do it to their children. This country will be a rule of law. We will not govern by the orders of a person like them. We are fighting our fight. We set out at the right time. It doesn't matter whether it's one or two years or on time, we will be in power.

"CANDIDACY IS NOT ANYONE'S PRIVATE PROPERTY"

Speaking about the claims that Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş will take steps regarding his candidacy for president, Ekrem İmamoğlu responded: "We shared the details of the meeting we held. I have said it several times. I said exactly what I respect from a framework: 'I find the determination of the presidential candidate early, I am not against the primary election, but it should not be done today. I am not interested in such a process. But of course, the presidential candidate of the CHP is the candidate of all of us. I will never do anything that would harm my party's journey and candidate.' That is his opinion. These concepts are a matter that is clear and valid for us. There is another issue. What was actually discussed: When our president Mansur Yavaş expressed his concern that if something happens to the candidate, if the candidate fails, if the candidate falls short, I will say the way I expressed it very clearly... Candidacy is not anyone's private property... It is not a command of God either. You can change the candidate until it is officially submitted to the YSK. Something may happen to him, he may become ill, God forbid, anything can happen. Therefore, when that day comes, our party will sit down and make the right decision. After this sentence, they also said, 'The candidate of our party, the decision of our party is not something that will be discussed for us at all.' There is no harm in repeating this opinion, that is his own discretion. I cannot say anything to him.

"WE BROKE THE GAME OF THE GOVERNMENT"

Today, our party has made a decision. The CHP parliamentary group has signed this decision with a large majority. 1 million 750 thousand of our members will vote. Meanwhile, attacks on Ekrem İmamoğlu are increasing. Of course, they will increase. We broke the game of the government. Our party members will come to the polls and vote, and they will support their party's candidate. Because every vote will strengthen the party's candidate, and every missing vote will strengthen the process of the President. CHP members who are aware of this will definitely celebrate March 23 as a festival of democracy.

"NOTHING THAT MR. YAVAŞ SAYS HURTS ME"

Nothing that Mr. Mansur Yavaş says hurts me. I am concerned about the three-way table we talked face to face and made a joint decision.

We have a good friendship. At the end of the day, I never erase from my notebook that we will make the most accurate decision together, that we will be together even in the most critical moments, that we are travel companions, that we are comrades in the cause.

"I DO NOT THINK MANSUR BEY WILL MAKE SUCH A DECISION"

İmamoğlu responded to the question, "Will there be a candidacy table with Erdoğan, İmamoğlu, and Yavaş?" by saying, "No. I do not think Mansur Bey will make such a decision. He is a travel companion who has said many times, 'The candidate of the CHP is my candidate.'

"SOME PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE DIPLOMAS. I HAVE TRANSCRIPTS, I HAVE DOCUMENTS"

He evaluated the allegations that his horizontal transfer from Girne American University to Istanbul University was irregular and the investigation opened with the following words: "I studied in Cyprus. A 17-year-old child goes there and applies. At 19, he sees the announcement of Istanbul University, which has a 600-year history. 'If you meet these conditions, I will accept you to my school.' We go and apply. We have documented information that we meet the conditions. Some people do not have diplomas. I have transcripts. I have my school grades. I have my documents, I have my photos. If I called my school friends, I would have held a rally here this morning. People are dealing with my diploma. Why? Can we set up a barrier from here, can we build a wall from here? All our documents were worked on and presented by our lawyer friends. We filed a criminal complaint against all those who signed the report written by YÖK. Because they are lying. Do you know what it means to a person who graduated in 1991 in 1993? You accept everything about the school he has studied for the past 4 years, since 1986 or 1987, and you give equivalence to him. You are not just giving equivalence to the diploma, but to his past."

"PROPERTY OF PEOPLE CLOSE TO ME WAS SEIZED WITH FABRICATED REASONS"

İmamoğlu said, "The property of people close to me was seized with fabricated reasons. Isn't it shameful? What is it? Ekrem İmamoğlu should not be a rival to me. An 8-year-old child asks me, 'Is this being done to you so that you won't be a rival?' He is doing a disservice to both himself and his position."

"WE ARE DEFINITELY ON THE SIDE OF SOLUTION, PEACE, AND ENDING TERROR"

Speaking about the process of a Turkey without terrorism, Ekrem İmamoğlu said, "We need brotherhood more than ever. As the CHP, we have always been against terrorism. We have always been in favor of peace. We respect any step that will end terrorism and bring peace. We are also following the process initiated by Mr. Bahçeli with the same care and attention. We support every step towards peace. Despite this process created by Mr. Bahçeli, I do not understand what the government wants to do, what it says, and what it does not say. These processes should be managed transparently. I would like to express that any foundation to be established by keeping the legal aspects of this transparency away from the nation and the Parliament will be problematic. We are against this. But we are definitely on the side of solution, peace, and ending terrorism."

"I HAVE SUBMITTED MY REQUEST TO MEET WITH DEVLET BAHÇELİ"

İmamoğlu, who stated that he requested a meeting with MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, said, "Let me also convey my get well wishes to Mr. Devlet Bahçeli from here. I have conveyed my get well wishes to him twice from a correct point. I expressed my desire to meet if they are available. But we have not met yet."

"THE PROCESS MUST BE CARRIED OUT IN THE PARLIAMENT"

Regarding the process, İmamoğlu continued his words as follows: "The process must be carried out in the Parliament as well. No matter how much this government has rendered the Parliament dysfunctional, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey is the place where the nation is represented and should be the strongest institution on behalf of the nation. There are people elected by the nation there. We have 600 deputies. There must be a general discussion in the Parliament where these deputies are present. In fact, commissions should be established. These commissions should be able to carry this process within the Parliament to the strongest level through negotiations with political parties.

Inclusivity is a very important concept. The process must be explained to the families of martyrs and veterans. If all these sensitivities are preserved, the momentum that has been initiated will evolve into a place that makes us all happy.

"ON ONE HAND, YOU WILL MEET WITH DEM PARTY, ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU WILL APPOINT A TRUSTEE TO THEIR MUNICIPALITIES"

It is necessary to be consistent. On one hand, you will meet with the DEM Party, and on the other hand, you will appoint a trustee to the municipalities of the DEM Party. Consistency is needed. A climate of freedom is needed. If you detain anyone who opens their mouth, you will disrupt the process. It should be explained to our citizens that in a Turkey without terrorism, the democratic demands of our citizens can be met through negotiation. At the same time, it should be conveyed that Turkey is the greatest friend of the Kurds living in Iraq and Syria - not just the Kurds, but everyone living in that geography.

"I VALUE THIS PROCESS INITIATED BY DEVLET BAHÇELİ"

There are Kurds who have held important positions during the Ottoman period. In the Republic of Turkey, there are presidents, prime ministers, ministers, and deputies. A Kurdish friend of mine said to me: 'As a Kurd living in this country, I dream of the presidency in this country. No one should compare us to the Kurds in other countries. I dream of every position in this country.' I liked it so much... But we have shortcomings. Therefore, we must build a model together so that this country does not experience such a problem in the future. That is why I value this process initiated by Devlet Bahçeli and follow it carefully. But I do not understand the government's silence, its observation of the process... I wonder... Is it about the ballot box, the election, or something else?

My concern is the brotherhood of this country. It is to see and find a solution to this issue in a place that transcends politics and parties. This means the prosperity, peace, and good economy of this country. The only thing: A Turkey where the integrity of the homeland is indivisible, where under our star and crescent flag, everyone’s ethnic origin is respected at the highest level, and where all rights, freedoms, and legal rights are protected.

"A SYSTEM MUST BE ESTABLISHED IN SYRIA THAT WILL ELIMINATE ALL RISKS"

İmamoğlu expressed his concerns about the recent events in Syria with the following statements: "I am worried that they are treating the process in Syria like an election issue.

I was of course pleased with the end of the Assad dictatorship. It is a very bad situation that even this is framed as an effort for the government to gain points. I view the Syrian issue as a process that will affect Turkey for the next 200 years. We say that it is essential to establish a system in Syria where all risks are eliminated. There should be no ethnic or religious discrimination. There is a process underway in Latakia and Tartus where innocent people are being killed. Almost all of these people are Alawites living there. We cannot ignore this pain and look at it from only one perspective. National issues should not be politicized. I am following this process with concern. Turkey needs to take strong warnings and precautions. It needs to establish contact with the Syrian administration in this regard. While we should be the state that sets the table in Syria, we have come to a situation where we have no chairs at the tables that are set. Being in a position where our country has no chair at meetings held in Saudi Arabia, France, Italy, and elsewhere worries me.