05.10.2025 10:51
The leader of the CHP, Özgür Özel, stated, "As long as Ekrem İmamoğlu can be a candidate, he is our candidate. If there is an obstruction to İmamoğlu's candidacy for president, Mansur Yavaş is another important candidate for us." In the latest poll, when asked, "Who do you think should be the CHP's candidate if İmamoğlu cannot run?" Yavaş emerged as the first with 39.5%.
CHP Chairman Özgür Özel met with journalists following his party's parliamentary camp held in Bolu yesterday, answering their questions. He was accompanied by Group Deputy Chairpersons Ali Mahir Başarır and Murat Emir, as well as the Deputy Chairman responsible for Media and Public Relations, Burhanettin Bulut.
"EKREM İMAMOĞLU IS OUR CANDIDATE AS LONG AS HE CAN RUN" Özel responded to the question, "Ekrem İmamoğlu is in prison, and you have said at every opportunity that you will not run. You said, 'We will hold a primary for Mansur Yavaş as well.' If voters show a reflex of 'Our candidate is Özgür Özel,' will your stance remain the same?" as follows: "I am clear. First of all, our candidate is Ekrem İmamoğlu. Because behind him, it is not just me, the party, or the authorized boards, or two million CHP members, but the votes of 15.5 million citizens. As long as Ekrem İmamoğlu can run, he is our candidate. But if the file approved by the court is confirmed by the Supreme Court, and if a political ban comes or if his diploma... We are of course waiting for a stay of execution and the return of his diploma, just like those who received their diplomas 30 years ago. But if they do something else and prevent his candidacy, until that day, our candidate is Ekrem İmamoğlu, and we will fight.
"MANSUR BEY IS AN IMPORTANT OPTION" I said regarding Mansur Bey, rather than 'We will hold a primary': Mansur Bey is an important option. Suppose that in the process of determining Mansur Bey or another candidate, instead of making this decision alone or with authorized boards, we have already tasted the opinion of all members and even the public on March 23. For example, it is often discussed in current politics that the president should be elected by the people. It is difficult to go back from here. Because if you have elected the President with broad public support, it would be a difficult step back to say, 'Let us choose this in the Parliament.' But what happens? The President can be a neutral president, and it is guaranteed that he will be equally distanced from all parties, and perhaps stricter measures will be taken regarding candidacy conditions, such as party affiliations, as we have been burned by biased Presidents. But it is difficult to tell the people, 'You will not elect the President; we will choose from the Parliament again.' Because it would not be right to go back after certain steps have been taken. I believe that this step taken by the CHP will be an important gain for Turkish politics in a few elections, and it will be a step that cannot be reversed.
"THERE WILL BE NO BACKTRACKING" Because on one side, while one candidate is being nominated by 15.5 million voters on a Sunday, on the other side, the issue of 'I am the Chairman; I am the natural candidate, or our party's authorized boards nominated this person' will become more difficult for all parties. Looking at it from today, we do not practically experience this, but it is not visible. For example, in the 1970s, the CHP's primaries forced the Justice Party to put ballot boxes. Then, legal regulations were introduced. Because in the village, when they say, 'Ecevit is asking his members why our candidate is determined by Süleyman Bey,' the Justice Party could not escape from that ballot box. They first brought it, then legal regulations were made. Therefore, this candidate determination method will lead all parties in Turkey to say, 'Our candidate is that one, but let’s present it to a public survey,' or 'Which of these candidates does our member choose?' There were examples in the world; we used to say, 'When will we come?' We used to ask, 'Who can vote in an expanded primary?' On March 19, there was such an extraordinary reflex against the coup that we said, 'Put a solidarity ballot box next to it, let’s see what will happen.' The public came and took charge of the issue with 15.5 million people. For example, if 550,000 votes had been cast there, we would not be discussing this today. From that perspective, there will be no backtracking.
"IF MANSUR BEY WERE TO RUN..." Let’s say Mansur Bey were to run, or if there were a multiple competition, my thought is that the party will do the necessary work, look at the polls, but in the end, it will still have to present this to the members and society and seek their consent. Otherwise, it carries a risk; my sincere opinion is this: The candidate you show in place of someone who came with 15.5 million votes may lead to another discussion if strong, legitimate support is not sought. We do not want to ignite a debate about 'replacement candidate, backup candidate' that neither Mansur Bey nor I would want, nor would the candidate want.
"MANSUR BEY IS NOT ANYONE'S BACKUP" Özel responded to the question, "It is said that 'Mansur Bey is seen as a B plan.' Is this situation brought up in your discussions?" with the following: "Mansur Bey is not anyone's backup, nor is he in my eyes. It is not like that in Mansur Bey's heart either. But Mansur Bey is a very important politician who has a place in the hearts of this nation. He is a figure that cannot be neglected or disregarded. This should be seen as such. What will time bring, what will Mansur Bey think, what will society think, what point will we reach? Since that day has not come, today is not that day. Discussing these things from that perspective is unnecessary, but there is no slightest contradiction between Mansur Bey and me on this issue. In fact, you may remember that before the primary decision was made and before it was held, various speculations were being raised. We always said, 'We three sat down, talked, and there will be no problem.' On the primary day, Mansur Bey went and voted for President Ekrem. This is how we should see the issues. There is no difficulty, no problem, but of course, it is too early to say anything before that day comes. My position regarding myself is clear. I look at it this way: To solve the equation, the variables need to be fixed. If the person who will solve the equation puts himself into the equation, you cannot fix the variable. Then you may solve it incorrectly."
MANSUR YAVAŞ CAME FIRST IN THE POLL While the ruling party responds to the recent calls for early elections from the opposition by stating that elections will be held on time, striking results emerged from the latest election poll. ASAL Research asked 2,000 participants, "If Ekrem İmamoğlu cannot run, who do you think should be the CHP's candidate?"
YAVAŞ TOPPED WITH 39.5% In the poll, Mansur Yavaş, the Mayor of Ankara, came in first with 39.5%, followed by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel with 12%.