05.11.2026 10:10
Speaking ahead of the first ordinary congress on November 14-15, New Party Chairman Özgür Özel put an end to the debate over returning to the CHP. Stating that he expects the Court of Cassation to correct its absolute nullity ruling, but that this was not for the purpose of returning, Özel said, “We will not go back to the CHP.” Reminding that they have many new members, Özel said that a return was not possible.
New Party General Chairman Özgür Özel put an end to the debates about CHP ahead of his party's first ordinary congress. Arguing that the decision he expects from the Court of Cassation is important for political security, Özel said, “We will not go back to CHP.”
“WE WILL NOT GO BACK TO CHP”
Speaking to Milliyet in his office at the headquarters, Özel gave the following answer to a question about the decision to come from the Court of Cassation:
“I think we have suffered a great injustice, and a great injustice has been done to Turkish democracy. That is why I expect the Court of Cassation to correct this shame, this wrong. Not in order to return. We will not go back to CHP.”
“NO ONE WILL BE SAFE”
Arguing that if the decision is upheld no one will be safe in Turkey's political history, Özel said, “The team that is null and void has agreed and is sitting there. If any Civil Court of First Instance came today and annulled an election in any political party, the parties' general chairs and administrators would not be safe.”
“WE WILL NOT REGARD ANYONE ROOTED IN NULLITY AS LEGITIMATE”
Stating that the most important reason for CHP to be concerned with its current situation is election security, Özel recalled that newly founded parties cannot provide poll officials. Özel said, “I had 186 thousand poll officials ready. In that respect, there needs to be a friendly administration at the head of CHP.”
Emphasizing that the people remaining in CHP coming to the administration through the congress would not mean a “friendly administration” for them, Özel said, “We will not regard anyone rooted in today's nullity as legitimate. ‘I stayed there. When Mr. Kemal leaves, I will come and become the legitimate administrator.’ When someone who canceled four elected congresses takes over the administration from us, no one becomes legitimate.”
Özel said that an administration made up of former-term MPs and respecting the New Party could be useful in technical matters such as determining poll officials.
“WE CANNOT GO BACK, WE HAVE MANY NEW MEMBERS”
Arguing that a return is technically impossible as well, Özel said, “We cannot go back, because we have many new members. It is not possible to tell them, ‘We are leaving, you stay here,’ or ‘We are leaving, you will come too.’”
Stating that even if the Court of Cassation issues a decision, it will not replace the local court but will only overturn the decision, Özel added, “We technically cannot tolerate such turbulence either. We have founded the party and are holding its congress.”
“LOOTING” CLAIM
Claiming that CHP has been “looted materially and morally,” Özel argued that the congress process is important in this respect as well. Özel asserted that there is no elected administration in CHP and that it is not clear who is in which position.
SURPRISE NAMES AT THE CONGRESS
Stating that they will begin the party's “new politics” with the first ordinary congress to be held on November 14-15, Özel said that very strong cadres will be seen at the congress. Özel noted that figures from conservative, nationalist, Kurdish and socialist democrats, both known and those who could have a “surprise effect,” will take part in the cadres.
Also touching on the number of members of the Party Council (PC), Özel stated that the number could be reduced to 60, kept at 80, or increased somewhat.
“AGREEMENT” CLAIM
Saying that he finds proposals to set the election date now contrary to the Presidential Election Law, Özel recalled that a change to be made in the law cannot be applied before one year.
Claiming that Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has agreed with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the government, Özel said, “As a result of this agreement, we see that they have long since given such words as supporting him to be a candidate once again and supporting constitutional change.” Özel said, “We will never accept an election brought forward by a few weeks or a few months as an early election.”
“MR. MANSUR IS AN IMPORTANT OPTION”
Responding to a question about comments that “the needle has turned back to him” regarding the presidential candidacy, Özel stated that the Council of State stage of Ekrem İmamoğlu's diploma case continues and that he has no finalized penalty. Özel said, “For one thing, Mayor Ekrem is there as a candidate. Mr. Mansur (Yavaş) is always there as an important option.”
Saying that he finds it right for Mansur Yavaş to focus on municipal governance and stay away from debates, Özel emphasized that his main criterion is to support the candidate most likely to win based on polls and analyses.
“I WILL SLAP ANYONE WHO CANNOT PROVE IT”
Also reacting to claims directed at him regarding Mustafa Sarıgül's son, Özel argued that the matter in question has nothing to do with the New Party. Özel said, “Let them prove that I received not such amounts from Sarıgül, but 1 TL in cash or by transfer, and I will quit politics; I will slap anyone who cannot prove it.”
Also recalling earlier claims that he had bought a villa abroad, Özel said, “If I bought a nail, not a villa, I would not continue in politics.” Özel said, “If there is anyone who would deign to reach for the immunity granted by the people, we are out in the open.”
“TO COVER UP THE FUND CRISIS”
Saying that he deliberately did not answer the question about new province and district proposals, Özel claimed that the government has opened new debates “to cover up the fund crisis.” Özel said, “Let everyone know that whatever this government is trying to get discussed, it is doing it so that the fund is not discussed.”