Özgür Özel Announces Party Roadmap in Istanbul; Strong Reaction to Erdoğan’s Remarks
Özgür Özel, Chairman of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), in an interview with Now TV, outlined the details of the party’s new roadmap following the court’s decision to annul the Istanbul provincial congress. He stated that the number of signatures collected by delegates to hold an extraordinary congress had exceeded 200, adding: “When the number of signatures reaches 300, elections will be held.”
The decision to annul the Istanbul provincial congress came after complaints regarding the conduct of the congress. Upon reviewing the case, the court ruled to dismiss the then-provincial chairman, Özgür Çelik, and to completely halt the ongoing congress process. A committee headed by Gürsel Tekin was appointed as trustee to temporarily manage the party’s provincial organization.
Referring to attempts by certain institutions to disrupt the congress process, Özel said: “Our delegates are lined up at the notary’s office. Yesterday, more than 200 signatures reached the provincial office. Only 120 signatures are enough to hold the congress. We have now reached the required number in Istanbul to convene the congress.”
Meanwhile, the Istanbul court, in the case concerning the annulment of the CHP congress held on October 8, 2023, ruled to dismiss provincial chairman Özgür Çelik and the current executive board. In addition, 196 delegates were temporarily removed from their duties, and the ongoing congress process was suspended. The court appointed a committee headed by Gürsel Tekin as trustee for the CHP Istanbul provincial chairmanship.
Özel went on to criticize Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s focus on the CHP’s internal affairs, saying: “Why should I care about the Istanbul congress of the Justice and Development Party that took place two years ago? Every three months Erdoğan says: ‘Hey Özgür Özel, say something about the suspicious congress.’ What business is it of his?”
The CHP chairman also criticized some internal party opponents, saying: “Some of our friends within the party thought they should respond from inside the party and said we must answer Erdoğan’s remarks. This is the result. They want someone from within the CHP to get involved in this game.”
