14.04.2025 10:30
The statement by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, "If Ekrem Bey is inside, whoever gets the highest votes will be the candidate. After Ekrem Bey comes, that friend will take on another role," has sparked significant debate. In party circles, this remark has been interpreted as "Özgür Özel predicts that Ekrem İmamoğlu will be in prison until the presidential elections."
One of the most curious issues after Ekrem İmamoğlu's arrest as part of the corruption investigation against the İBB is who will be the CHP's presidential candidate...
"SOMEONE WILL WIN ON HIS BEHALF"
Previously commenting on this issue, Özel stated, "We will push for Ekrem İmamoğlu's candidacy, but if it doesn't happen, someone will win the election on his behalf," indicating that he might also run for candidacy.
"AFTER EKREM BEY COMES..."
While the echoes of this statement continue, Özel made another surprising remark regarding candidacy. He said, "If Ekrem Bey is inside, whoever gets the highest vote will be the candidate," and added, "After Ekrem Bey comes, that friend will take on another role." However, it is stated that the formula mentioned by Özgür Özel, "will take over the duty when İmamoğlu is released from prison," has no legal counterpart in the current Presidential Government System, and such a system is not included in the constitution. According to the current system, the public directly elects the president, and there can be no transfer of duty except through resignation.
WILL HE BE IN PRISON UNTIL THE ELECTION?
Özel's statements have been interpreted by some circles as an acceptance of the expectation that İmamoğlu will be sentenced and will be in prison until the election. It is rumored that Özel's next step, preparing the CHP base for the idea that İmamoğlu cannot run, could be to launch a campaign stating that "the CHP's presidential candidate must be the CHP Chairman."