05.11.2026 16:40
CHP Party Spokesperson Müslim Sarı revealed for the first time that 3-4 years ago, when Ekrem İmamoğlu’s candidacy was brought up at the Party Assembly, he clearly said that the presidential candidate was then-Chairman Özgür Özel. Stating that Özel later declared he would not be a candidate, Sarı said that when the absolute nullity decision becomes final, they will remove Özel’s posters from among the former chairmen at the Headquarters.
CHP Party Spokesperson and Deputy Chairperson responsible for Local Governments Müslim Sarı answered journalists’ questions at the “Anadolu Sohbetleri” program organized by the Turkish Press Federation. Sarı made statements on many issues, from the presidential candidacy to the absolute nullity ruling, and from early elections to the minimum wage.
“I HAD SAID, ‘MY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IS ÖZGÜR ÖZEL’”
Sarı, explaining the background of the presidential candidacy debates, shared his stance in the Party Assembly with the public for the first time:
“In this system, we are not electing a symbolic president; we are electing the head of the executive. Leaders found parties to wage a struggle for power, so party chairpersons are natural presidential candidates. Three or four years ago, when Mr. Ekrem’s candidacy was raised early, I said clearly in the Party Assembly, ‘My presidential candidate is the chairperson of the Republican People’s Party, Özgür Özel; the candidate is you.’ However, he later made a clear declaration of will that he would not be a candidate.”
“WHERE THE COURT DISREGARDS, WE DISREGARD ÖZEL”
Responding to the question about the absolute nullity ruling, Sarı recalled that the court had accepted that period and administration as “null and void.” Sarı said, “After the court finalizes this ruling, we will also remove his posters from among the pictures of former chairpersons in the General Headquarters building. Where the court disregards, we also disregard Mr. Özgür Özel.”
“RESIGN AND RUN” CLAIM IN THE TBB ELECTION
Also speaking about the process of the Union of Turkish Municipalities (TBB) elections, Sarı criticized the YENİ Party. Stating that they had agreed on the candidacy of Adıyaman Mayor Abdurrahman Tutdere because it is an earthquake region, Sarı claimed that the Yeni Party had offered Tutdere support in exchange for resigning from the CHP.
Stating that Tutdere rejected the offer on the grounds that he “did not find it politically right” and chose to remain in the CHP, Sarı said, “Afterwards, despite all our sacrifice, Özgür Özel went on television and disregarded us by saying, ‘We did not cooperate with anyone; we won the TBB with 130 delegates.’”
“THE RIGHT DATE FOR AN EARLY ELECTION IS 2027”
Touching on the early election debates as well, Sarı said they would not support an election held a few months before the scheduled election as an “early election,” and that they were also closed to a formula that would extend into 2028. Sarı said, “We would support an early election held within 2027, in spring or autumn, and as the opposition we will never run from the ballot box.”
“THE LOWEST PENSION SHOULD BE 40,000 AND THE MINIMUM WAGE 52,000 LIRA”
Stating that the party’s core economic vision was “zero hunger,” Sarı argued that the hunger threshold would exceed 40,000 lira by the new year. Sarı said, “At the new year, the lowest pension should be at least 40,000 lira with a 70 percent increase, and the minimum wage should be set 30 percent above that, that is, roughly above 52,000 lira.”
SUPPORT FOR THE MECCA AGREEMENT
Stating that they supported the Mecca Agreement on Parliament’s agenda from a geopolitical perspective, Sarı argued that the agreement was in line with Turkey’s interests. Sarı said that they had, however, raised every time the risks and uncertainties contrary to national sovereignty, such as not being able to withdraw from the agreement for 10 years.
THE SOLUTION PROCESS
Stating that there had been a slowdown in the process initiated by MHP Chairperson Devlet Bahçeli, Sarı claimed that there was a disagreement within the People’s Alliance. Sarı said, “We see that the MHP side is much more willing on this issue, whereas there is a tendency to hit the brakes on the AKP front.” Arguing that turning Kurdish citizens’ votes into an election-oriented “carrot” would be the greatest injustice done to the process, Sarı said they could sit at the new constitution table only on the condition of a return to the parliamentary system.