Mansur Yavaş Urges Unity in CHP: “Even Our Grandchildren Won’t Forgive Us”

Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş has issued a powerful call for unity within Turkey’s main opposition party, CHP, warning that ongoing internal conflicts are weakening not only the party but also the broader democratic opposition. In a written statement shared on social media, Yavaş emphasized that the stakes are too high for division and that failure to act together could jeopardize both present and future generations.

“If we don’t act in unity today, we won’t just lose today—we’ll lose our future. Even our grandchildren may not forgive us,” Yavaş warned.

11 Mayors Behind Bars, No Indictments Filed

Yavaş highlighted the pressure faced by CHP, pointing to the fact that 11 CHP-affiliated mayors, including İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, are currently detained without a single indictment issued. He characterized this as part of a long-standing campaign by the ruling government to undermine CHP and its municipalities through judicial and bureaucratic tools.

“Our party is under heavy pressure. We can no longer endure these internal conflicts,” he said.

“This Is Not Just CHP’s Problem—It’s the Opposition’s Future”

According to Yavaş, the current political climate in Turkey leaves no room for infighting. He stressed that unity among all opposition parties is critical in the face of rising authoritarian tactics.

“We have no choice but to stand together. This is not only about CHP—it’s about the entire opposition’s responsibility for the future.”

Warning Against Judicial Overreach and Political Interference

Referring to the ongoing lawsuit challenging CHP’s 38th Congress, Yavaş criticized what he views as the politicization of the judiciary.

“This case has created false expectations and unrest within the party. It’s painful to witness,” he said, noting that only the Supreme Election Council (YSK) has jurisdiction over party congresses.

He accused the government of using institutions that are supposed to be independent and impartial as instruments of political control.

No Room for Divisive Rhetoric

Yavaş also condemned personal attacks against former party chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, stating that such remarks do nothing to help democracy or fight poverty.

“These discussions offer no contribution to justice or democratic progress,” he asserted, urging respect across all party ranks.

Focus on Service and Systemic Change

Reaffirming his commitment to Ankara residents and democratic reform, Yavaş outlined his two primary political goals:

1. Serving the people of Ankara

2. Working to end the presidential system imposed by the ruling alliance and restore the parliamentary model in Turkey.

“This Country Needs CHP”

Yavaş stressed that CHP remains essential to solving Turkey’s challenges, from economic hardship to democratic backsliding. He called for an immediate end to intra-party disputes, noting that recent tensions have been deeply unsettling to grassroots supporters.

“These week-long debates must come to an end. Our party base is unhappy, and rightly so.”

Call to Past and Present Leadership: Stand Together

Yavaş concluded with an emotional appeal to all factions within the party:

“It is my greatest wish—and the only right path—for our former and current party leaders, and every member of CHP, to stand together as one. Without this unity, none of us, including myself, have any reason to remain in politics.”