06.04.2025 10:40
The 21st Extraordinary Congress of the CHP started today in Ankara. At the congress, which was also attended by former Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Ümit Uysal withdrew his candidacy, while Özgür Özel and Berhan Şimşek will compete for the presidency. Meanwhile, Ekrem İmamoğlu also sent a noteworthy message to the congress.
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The Republican People's Party held its 21st extraordinary congress. The congress is taking place in Ankara at the Nazım Hikmet Cultural Center. The chairmanship of the congress will be conducted by Bülent Nuri Çavuşoğlu, the Mayor of Denizli Metropolitan Municipality. Delegates will vote for the party leadership, party council, and high disciplinary board.
CRITICAL RACE FOR THE 60-MEMBER PARTY COUNCIL It is stated that in the election to be held by the list method, the list of CHP leader Özgür Özel will compete with the key list of Istanbul Deputy Oğuz Kaan Salıcı. It will be revealed during the congress whether Muratpaşa Mayor Ümit Uysal, who announced that he would run for the presidency, has reached the required number of signatures for candidacy. The critical race is expected to be for the 60-member Party Council (PM).
KILIÇDAROĞLU TOOK HIS PLACE IN THE HALL It was a matter of curiosity whether former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu would attend the 21st Extraordinary Congress of CHP, which started today in Ankara, and he has taken his place in the hall. Kılıçdaroğlu had recently put an end to the candidacy discussions and clearly stated that he would not run.
Antalya Muratpaşa Mayor Ümit Uysal ONE NAME WITHDREW FROM CANDIDACY Ümit Uysal, the Mayor of Antalya Muratpaşa, who announced his candidacy for the congress, withdrew from the candidacy just minutes before the election. Özgür Özel and former deputy Berhan Şimşek will compete for the presidency.
Berhan Şimşek In a statement made on his social media account, Şimşek announced his candidacy, saying, "We have words to say bravely and honorably to those who put impossibilities in front of us, to those who engage in impossible tasks, to those who normalize and soften, to those who open the doors of CHP municipalities to trustees, to those who cannot tolerate any opposing voice, to those who harm our party identity and the spirit of our struggle, to those who are hurt but do not hurt others."
SALICI: WE WILL PREPARE AN ALTERNATIVE LIST It is expected that the members of the party council and disciplinary board will be elected by the list method. All eyes are on whether there will be a change in the party administration elected at the congress held on November 4-5. Istanbul Deputy Salıcı announced that they would prepare an alternative list. Salıcı stated, "We will create a balance and solidarity list. We say balance because we want a party that reflects the kind of country we want."
MESSAGE FROM İMAMOĞLU REGARDING THE CONGRESS On the other hand, CHP's presidential candidate and İBB President Ekrem İmamoğlu also shared a message on social media regarding the congress. İmamoğlu's post is as follows: "Our party's 21st Extraordinary Congress is convening in an extraordinary period in every sense. Our nation is under heavy siege today. This siege is by a repressive government that openly declares that it is not bound by law and democracy and sees itself as the owner of the state. This government does not want rival candidates, does not want rival parties, and does not want free and fair elections. Their only concern is to maintain the one-man system that is dragging the country into disaster in every area from the economy to health, from education to justice. However, no repressive system can stand against the will of the people. The dignity of the nation is above all forms of tyranny, and the determination to take ownership of its own will and future is above all forms of oppression. The congresses of the Republican People's Party have been places where this dignity and determination have been symbolized and this struggle has taken shape since day one.
"I WISH SUCCESS TO MY FELLOW DELEGATES" I have no doubt that our congress will follow the same path today. Our party will prioritize the necessity of completing its national duty above every opinion, and it will walk with dedication and determination in line with the fundamental principles of our Republic and will surely succeed. The difficulties they will present to us and the sufferings they will inflict are mere trifles on this honorable path we will walk together until the end. With these feelings, I wish success to our Chairman Mr. Özgür Özel and all my fellow delegates. No matter what they do, we will succeed! We will overcome injustice and tyranny. Together, we will build the power of freedom, equality, and brotherhood. I thank you for your determined stance and struggle, and I wish our congress, which I believe will give hope and courage to our nation, to be beneficial and auspicious."
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