20.01.2025 15:42
The CHP leader Özel, who declared "Our candidate is ready" by challenging the government in the elections, also responded to a question at the press conference about whether this name refers to Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Özel stated, "Ekrem İmamoğlu's name comes up in every meeting in every aspect; given the severity of the attacks, it is quite normal for his name to be mentioned."
CHP General Chairman Özgür Özel held a press conference together with İBB President Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was quickly investigated due to his remarks about Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek.
"I LEAVE IT TO THE CONSCIENCE OF 86 MILLION PEOPLE"
İmamoğlu's words were as follows; "My statement is so clear. I said, 'We are fighting so hard that we will also fight to save your children.' I told the Chief Prosecutor, 'We are also fighting to save your children from such treatment.' This investigation is an attempt to involve even his family in this matter. We are in an interesting situation. I leave it to both God and the conscience of 86 million people. I guess I said that the esteemed President sleeps and wakes up with us. Surely the Chief Prosecutor is also thinking about us. He is conducting his profession regarding us. I believe that the prosecutor, who personalizes so many issues and creates an investigation based on the sentence I made, is threatening Turkey legally.
CHP is telling a youth president who will work throughout Turkey, 'Do not leave Istanbul.' This does not align with justice. While talking about these matters, my statement is very clear. I have repeatedly told the mind that is pushing this issue, 'We will also save your children with the struggle we are giving.' I expressed the same statements to the current Chief Prosecutor as clearly, but unfortunately, he is trying to use this even to prove himself with the understanding that 'Any means are permissible.' I saw this with sadness."
ÖZEL: THIS IS A SCHIZOPHRENIC SITUATION
After İmamoğlu, CHP General Chairman Özgür Özel used the following expressions; "What is it to open an investigation live? Is all the attention on us? We are facing a prosecutor who confuses İmamoğlu and Istanbul. This is a schizophrenic situation. People who hear İmamoğlu's statements do not say, 'This revenge will also go to my child.' Those who do not listen will think that Gürlek's child has been threatened... We are not people of this mind. As CHP, we see this process as a declaration of war against us. Under these conditions, we said that 2025 will be the election year. We are ready. They declared war on us; you see what the prosecutor is doing. We will all witness the flow of history this year. We will do everything to reveal the accounts of this government.
"WE ARE READY, AND THEY SHOULD BE READY TO HAND OVER POWER"
As I said on the first day I sat in the chair, we will determine the candidates in the most transparent and participatory way, in accordance with the principles of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and in the fairest way. Our will and our journey are certain. For this, we walk hand in hand without leaving anyone behind. We are ready. They should also be ready to hand over power. We are in a very strong process in all aspects; the greater the evil, the greater our courage and determination.
"IS İMAMOĞLU THE CANDIDATE?"
In another speech he made today, Özel, who challenged the government by saying, "Our candidate is ready," was asked by a reporter, "Is İmamoğlu's name mentioned as a candidate in the meetings?" Özel replied to this question, "Ekrem İmamoğlu's name is mentioned in every meeting in every aspect; it is quite normal for his name to be mentioned while there is such a heavy attack."