01.02.2025 22:30
Former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu stated that there could be a fragmentation within the party if Ekrem İmamoğlu is declared a presidential candidate. Kılıçdaroğlu also expressed, "Are we going to talk about Ekrem İmamoğlu's candidacy for 3 years?"
Former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu made striking statements following CHP Chairman Özgür Özel's remark, "We will determine our presidential candidate." Kılıçdaroğlu's statements were conveyed by Sinan Burhan, the General Editor of the Millet News Agency, during a live broadcast on Burhan TV100.
"ARE WE GOING TO TALK ABOUT EKREM İMAMOĞLU'S CANDIDACY FOR 3 YEARS?"
Burhan shared his conversation with Kılıçdaroğlu during the live broadcast, stating, "I spoke with Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu on Monday. I asked Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu, 'If Ekrem İmamoğlu is declared a presidential candidate, will there be judicial protection?' Kılıçdaroğlu replied, 'Even if he is a candidate, he will not gain parliamentary immunity. Since the Supreme Election Council has not announced a timetable, let's say the elections will be in 3 years, what will happen? Are we going to talk about Ekrem İmamoğlu's candidacy for 3 years? While he is serving as the Mayor of Istanbul, are we going to discuss what İmamoğlu will do if he wins the presidency instead of his services and actions?'"
'WARNING OF 'FRAGMENTATION'
Burhan also mentioned that he asked Kılıçdaroğlu, "If Ekrem Bey is declared, will Mansur Bey stay in the party, or will other candidates who want to run be disturbed?" He conveyed Kılıçdaroğlu's response as follows: "Yes, they will be disturbed. From the moment you enter the primaries, whether Mansur Bey wins or Ekrem Bey wins, there will be a group of discontented individuals. Their supporters will emerge. A group of parliamentarians will support Ekrem Bey, and another group will support Mansur Bey. Therefore, the issue of elections should definitely be addressed, but the candidate should not be announced. What needs to be done is to demand early elections. However, if you announce a candidate, there will be fragmentation within the party. You cannot carry the effort for 3 years."