20.06.2026 10:40
Following the recent activity in the CHP, a notable statement regarding Mansur Yavaş came from aides close to Özgür Özel. Emphasizing that İmamoğlu carries legal risks due to his "diploma issue," sources stated that Mansur Yavaş is the most suitable presidential candidate capable of securing the broadest voter consensus from right to left. The aides, giving hints without revealing details about Yavaş's candidacy strategy, pointed to next month, saying, "Wait a month, wait for Özgür Özel's announcement."
The waters are not calming after the leadership crisis in CHP triggered by a court decision. Sources close to Özgür Özel emphasized that there is a "diploma obstacle" in front of Ekrem İmamoğlu's candidacy. While Özel's camp states that Mansur Yavaş is the most suitable candidate for the presidency, they signaled a roadmap that will be widely discussed in the coming month.
Nefes writer Aytunç Erkin conducted a striking interview with aides close to CHP's elected Chairman Özgür Özel. In the meeting, where many topics from the internal leadership struggle to new party claims and presidential candidacy were discussed, statements that will shake up political circles were made.
"HE DOESN'T WANT TO MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE AS KILIÇDAROĞLU"
The most notable part of the interview was the evaluations regarding potential presidential candidates. A source close to Özgür Özel pointed out a legal risk regarding Ekrem İmamoğlu's candidacy, saying: "Özgür Özel does not want to make the same mistake Kemal Bey made before the 2023 elections. He is determined about the 'winning candidate.' We are aware of Ekrem İmamoğlu's diploma issue. At this point, with the broadest consensus—bringing together the İYİ Party, the Victory Party, Kurdish voters, a potential new center-left party, and the CHP base—nominating Mansur Yavaş stands before us as the most correct option."
THEY DON'T WANT TO WEAR HIM OUT
The same source emphasized that they do not want to wear down Mansur Yavaş in the public eye, and that Yavaş staying in the CHP while keeping a distance from new formations is not a problem.
"THE NEW PARTY WILL BE ON A CENTER-LEFT LINE"
Stating that they will push the conditions until the last moment within the party, but that if the other side excludes them, it will be necessary to act with a "backup party," the aide summarized the ideological line of a possible new party as follows: "We received 38 percent in the March 31 elections with the CHP. If a new party is to be established, it will not be a party encompassing four tendencies like ANAP or the 2002 AK Party; it will be entirely a center-left line. We will aim to form a Turkey alliance whose main backbone will be shaped by the CHP line."
"ÖZGÜR ÖZEL WORKS WITH 4 HOURS OF SLEEP A DAY"
When asked about whether Özgür Özel lacks a strategy, a close colleague responded by describing Özel's work pace: "I know firsthand. He sleeps 6 hours a day, and during 2 hours of that sleep, he wakes up and takes notes. With 4 hours of sleep, he works 20 hours a day, planning and programming down to the finest detail. If he sees 60 percent in polls, he would also run, but his priority is to put forward the right candidate who will win."
"WAIT A MONTH, ÖZGÜR ÖZEL WILL ANNOUNCE"
At the end of the interview, when asked, "So, if Mansur Yavaş does not resign from the CHP in a possible process, won't he face a lynching attempt by those supporting the new formation?" Özel's aide concluded with a mysterious message pointing to the upcoming month: "Then I can only say this: Wait a month—there will be an important announcement from Özgür Özel. Just wait for that; that's all I can say."