After the extraordinary congress in the CHP, the Central Executive Board (MYK) was restructured with two new names during the first Party Assembly (PM) meeting. It was stated that CHP’s shadow cabinet will work at campaign offices to be established for the incarcarted former Istanbul mayor İmamoğlu, while the roadmap for the new era in CHP was shaped around the formula of “Continuing rallies, tough opposition”, in other words confrontation with Erdogan. This is in contrast to the first year of chairman Ozgur Ozel who treid to make peace with Erdogan under the slogan of “normalziaiton”, which faield when Erdogna ally Bahceli vetoed it.
After a year of forsty rleaitons between Erdogan and CHP, the latter erupted in fury as it saw mayor after mayor beign sacked to be replaced with AKP trustees, filling the streets with hundrds of htosuands of protesters demanbdign their release. Erdogan considers these rallies as vandalism, accusing CHP of “sabotaging the naitonal economy”.
Following the extraordinary congress held on April 6 to counter the risk of a trustee (kayyum) taking over the party, CHP held its first Party Assembly meeting. In the meeting chaired by CHP leader Özgür Özel, who renewed his mandate with the near-unanimous vote of delegates at the congress, the roadmap for the new period was discussed. A new party administration was also formed during the meeting.
Before the PM meeting, which was held to determine the members of the MYK, Özgür Özel, who was re-elected as Chair at CHP’s 21st Extraordinary Congress, visited Anıtkabir with PM members, High Disciplinary Board members, and MPs.
“We Will Work Tirelessly”
After laying a wreath of red and white flowers reading "Republican People's Party" at Atatürk’s mausoleum and observing a moment of silence, the delegation led by Özel proceeded to the Misak-ı Milli Tower. Here, Özel wrote the following in Anıtkabir’s special memorial book:
“Dear Atatürk, My Chairman,
We are in your presence today with the Party Assembly, the High Disciplinary Board, and our 28th term MPs elected at our 21st Extraordinary Congress on April 6, 2025. We are here on behalf of the millions who rose up across the country against the civilian coup attempt on March 19, 2025, defending the Republic and democracy that you entrusted to us and successfully repelling this coup.
With the belief that sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation, and inspired by you and our founding cadres, we pledge to work tirelessly until justice, rule of law, and full democracy prevail in our country. My Chairman, our nation did not allow a coup attempt targeting its will, democracy, and your party—represented by Ekrem İmamoğlu and his team, your party’s candidate for the Presidency. This stance by our people has further strengthened our belief in the future. In the second century of our Republic, we will continue to fight everywhere and on every platform to uphold the principles of a democratic, secular, and social state of law.”
“Tough Opposition Will Continue”
After the Anıtkabir visit, the CHP delegation returned to the party headquarters and began the PM meeting at 12:40 PM. The new period’s roadmap was laid on the table. CHP officials emphasized that AKP had built its long-standing rule on “polarizing politics,” saying:
“AKP, which used to gain votes by increasing tension, is now losing votes because of polarization. We will stay on the streets and continue our tough opposition.”
Two New Names on the List
During the meeting, the 24-member MYK was reformed. Mehmet Necati Yağcı and Namık Tan were introduced as the new members.
Namık Tan was appointed as Vice Chair responsible for Foreign Affairs, while Yağcı was given the role of Vice Chair responsible for Trade. No other changes were made to CHP’s shadow cabinet.
CHP is preparing an alternative to Mehmet Simsek’s Economic Stabilization Program
MYK members in the shadow cabinet, who follow the work of various ministries, will become key figures in İmamoğlu’s presidential campaign. Reports prepared by these MYK members, who are referred to as the “administrative MYK,” will be used actively in the campaign. These reports will aim to answer the question: “How will CHP govern Turkey?”
Comprehensive roadmaps will be prepared across key sectors—education, health, justice, culture, and the arts—and will also serve as a guide for CHP’s party program. The administrative MYK working in campaign offices will have a dedicated spokesperson and will coordinate closely with the CHP headquarters. CHP leader Özgür Özel will personally manage the campaign.
Tough Opposition
CHP will continue its activism in response to the chain of unlawful actions that began on March 19. As part of this, the “People Protecting Their Will” rallies will kick off in Samsun on April 13 and will spread across many provinces in Turkey. CHP is building its new roadmap on the foundation of “tough opposition.”
BirGun Gazette
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