06.04.2025 09:00
In the 21st Extraordinary Congress of the CHP, which will take place today, Özgür Özel, along with Ümit Uysal and Berhan Şimşek, will compete for the presidency. In the election, where 1,368 delegates will cast their votes, the slogan of the Congress is "The will belongs to the nation," and the participation of former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu is also expected. It is claimed that the shadow cabinet will be shaped according to İmamoğlu's preferences.
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The CHP's 21st Extraordinary Congress will take place today in Ankara. In addition to CHP leader Özgür Özel, Antalya Muratpaşa Mayor Ümit Uysal and former MP Berhan Şimşek will also compete for the presidency.
While the participation of 1368 delegates is expected at the congress, not only the party leader but also the members of the 60-person Party Assembly (PM) and the High Disciplinary Board (YDK) will be determined.
THE CONGRESS'S SLOGAN HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED According to a report by the BBC, the main slogan of the congress, which will be held at the Nazım Hikmet Cultural Center, has become "the will belongs to the nation" as a message against the "trustee" discussions. The congress will be open to party members, but due to the limited capacity of the hall, only a certain number of people will be allowed inside. Side rooms have been prepared for the press and invited guests. In the approximately 1600-person hall, only delegates, former party leaders, and honorary guests will be seated.
BOTH CONGRESS AND MEETING Özgür Özel is preparing to turn the congress into a rally; at 16:00, he will address party members at an event to be held next to the congress hall. Additionally, a signature campaign will be launched for the release of Ekrem İmamoğlu.
WILL KILIÇDAROĞLU ATTEND? Former Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu stated that he would not run for candidacy but could attend the congress if invited. CHP leader Özel also invited former chairmen Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Altan Öymen, Hikmet Çetin, and former SHP leader Murat Karayalçın to the congress. The participation of all former leaders is expected.
Ümit Uysal. THE SURPRISE OF ÜMİT UYSAL AND BERHAN ŞİMŞEK While it was thought that Özel would be the only candidate, Ümit Uysal and Berhan Şimşek also announced their candidacies for the presidency. To formalize their candidacies, at least 5% of the registered delegates' signatures need to be collected.
Berhan Şimşek. THINGS HEATING UP IN THE PM While the main competition of the congress is expected to take place in the Party Assembly, the CHP administration has decided to hold elections for the PM using a proportional representation method. However, Özgür Özel is expected to guide the delegates with a key list. After the success in local elections, it is said that Özel, who is not expected to make radical changes in the PM, may include some experienced politicians in the management team. It is also stated that special efforts will be made to represent different views within the party in the lists. The opposition aims to be effective through the PM. It has been learned that Istanbul MP Oğuz Kaan Salıcı is preparing a counter-list called "balance and solidarity."
İMAMOĞLU'S INFLUENTIAL SHADOW CABINET CLAIM After the congress, Özel will determine the Central Executive Board (MYK) from the new Party Assembly. In the 24-member MYK formed after the 38th Ordinary Congress, 18 people had formed the "shadow cabinet." This time, it is on the agenda to structure the "shadow cabinet" not directly from the MYK but in a way that will take active roles in the election campaign. The plans of the declared presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu to establish offices in Ankara and Istanbul also indicate this new structure. In party circles, it is discussed that the shadow cabinet will be shaped according to İmamoğlu's preferences.
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