14.11.2026 06:40
CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Mehmet Ali Yüksel said that General Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu will decide whether to run at the congress in line with the organization's demand, and that the Istanbul organization wants Kılıçdaroğlu. Speaking on Habertürk, Yüksel also disclosed his personal view on the presidential candidacy and argued that the need is for a principled leader like Kılıçdaroğlu, who has no allegations of taint or moral weakness against him.
(ISTANBUL) -
CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Mehmet Ali Yüksel said that General Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu would decide whether or not to run at the congress in line with the organization's request. Stating that the Istanbul organization wanted Kılıçdaroğlu, Yüksel said, "The need is for a leader like Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, principled, with not a single allegation of impropriety or a single moral weakness against him throughout his life."
CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Mehmet Ali Yüksel answered journalist Semiha Şahin's questions on a Habertürk live broadcast. Yüksel made assessments regarding CHP's congress process, presidential candidacy, and debates on unity in the opposition.
Noting that CHP General Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu had in the past made candidacy decisions in line with party organizations' proposals, Yüksel stated that at the upcoming congress he would also act according to the organization's request.
Saying that the Istanbul organization wanted Kılıçdaroğlu, Yüksel said that in his nearly 30-year political life he was experiencing one of the periods when he saw party organizations as most conscious and determined. Stating that party members were saddened by the process underway, Yüksel noted that despite this, their determination to struggle was strong.
Yüksel, who said he also met with citizens in Ümraniye and Beykoz who said they did not vote for CHP, said that these people appreciated Kılıçdaroğlu's honesty.
EMPHASIS ON A LEADER WITHOUT A BLEMISH
Pointing to the will of parliamentarians, the party's authorized bodies and the organization, and the public's favor in determining the presidential candidate, Yüksel explained his personal view as follows:
"The need is for a leader like Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, principled, with not a single allegation of impropriety or a single moral weakness against him throughout his life. This is my personal opinion."
CALL FOR JUSTICE FOR EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD
Describing the work they carried out after he took office with the words "building a new reflex," Yüksel stated that he did not agree with assessments that CHP was concerned only with its own internal matters.
Saying that the country's problems affected all segments of society, Yüksel said, "Bad smells are coming not only from our neighborhood, not only from the neighborhood across the way, but from every neighborhood of the country."
Emphasizing that Turkey was the common denominator of citizens with different identities and beliefs, Yüksel stated that political differences should not turn into divergence on morality and justice, and said, "We cannot seek the sense of justice only for our own neighborhood. We must want the rights of every neighborhood, justice for every neighborhood."
Noting that there is a difference between "owning" state institutions and "protecting" them, Yüksel said that institutions should be preserved and passed on to future generations.
Also answering questions about CHP's political line, Yüksel stated that the party's fundamental course was set by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk at its founding.
Stating that the party could renew itself according to the needs of the period but could not compromise on its founding principles, Yüksel noted that human dignity, freedom, and freedom of will were at the basis of this understanding.
CONDITION OF NOT BEING TAINTED BY IMPROPRIETY FOR COOPERATION
Evaluating alliance debates in the opposition, Yüksel referred to the "Halil İbrahim Table" through which Kılıçdaroğlu brought different political parties together in the previous election period.
Saying they were open to reuniting with former companions and that CHP's door was open to 86 million citizens, Yüksel stated that, regarding those with whom they would walk together, they took as a principle not being involved in corruption, impropriety, or taint.
CALL FOR A LAW ON POLITICAL ETHICS
Also evaluating Kılıçdaroğlu's call for political ethics, Yüksel listed the headings of non-discrimination, service to the people, positive discrimination, protection of human dignity, accountability, merit and justice, and fiscal discipline.
Stating that politicians should be evaluated by their work before their identities and affiliations, Yüksel said that knowledge and merit alone were not sufficient and needed to be completed with virtue.
Noting that a Law on Political Ethics was needed in line with the goal of crowning the Republic with democracy, Yüksel noted that they would not compromise on the seven principles put forward by Kılıçdaroğlu and would work to legislate these principles.