CHP Leader Özgür Özel: “People on Both Sides of the Border Are Brothers”

Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel said historical borders in the Middle East should not be seen as barriers to shared identity, stressing that ethnic and familial ties extend across Türkiye’s borders with Syria.

Speaking in a live interview on Karar TV, Özel said population movements during the Republican era had separated families, but not erased kinship. “If I am related to Kurds in Türkiye, then I am also related to Kurds in Syria. Borders drawn a century ago cannot erase brotherhood,” he said, urging caution in political rhetoric on the issue.

Headscarf Representation “No Longer an Exception”

Özel said CHP candidate lists will include headscarf-wearing women, describing the move not as a political opening but as a normalization. “Being headscarved or not should be neither an advantage nor a disadvantage. We have finally reached that normal point,” he said.

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“A Jailed Rival Cannot Produce a Legitimate Election”

Reiterating CHP’s presidential stance, Özel said Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu remains the party’s candidate. “An election in which İmamoğlu cannot run has no legitimacy,” he said, warning that those who block his candidacy would face political consequences. “The public will not hand power to someone who imprisons their rival,” he added.

Early Election Signals

Özel suggested that recent policy decisions point to an early election, citing changes to the launch schedule of Türkiye’s aircraft carrier. “Moving the launch date from 2028 to September 2027 signals elections in the autumn of 2027,” he said, adding that pension policies also reflected the government’s electoral calculations.

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CHP Leads Among Pensioners and Youth

Özel said CHP’s position as the leading party is driven by strong support among pensioners over 55, young voters aged 18–25, and— لأول the first time—lower-income groups. “We are now the leading party among pensioners, youth, and low-income voters. This has fundamentally strengthened our position,” he said.

Terror-Free Türkiye Process

On the parliamentary process aimed at ending terrorism, Özel said the final report should be written jointly rather than through partisan bargaining. “Everyone listing red lines leaves no room to move,” he said, calling for courage and shared ownership of the process.

Borders Divided Families, Not Brotherhood

Özel concluded by linking peace and democracy in Türkiye and Syria, arguing that lasting stability requires democratic governance on both sides of the border. “I want terrorism to end, democracy to take root in both countries, and for Türkiye and Syria to develop together. What I want is democracy and brotherhood on both sides,” he said.

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