OPINION: Özel throws down the gauntlet, claims CHP will win next election big
ozgur ozel
CHP Leader Özgür Özel Challenges Erdoğan: ‘Jailing İmamoğlu Will Only Boost Our Victory’
In a bold statement during an interview on Fatih Altaylı’s YouTube channel, Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel addressed the political implications of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s imprisonment. Özel asserted that detaining İmamoğlu would backfire on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, galvanizing public support for the opposition, starts columnist for conservative, but anti-government daily KARAR.
She interprets CHP chairman Ozel’s satetments to YouTube influencer Fatih Altaylı, concluding that Ozel has a clear path to victory–in his opinion, but seems to agree that AKP has no effective counter remedy to stop the CHP jaggernaut.
This is the English translation of her opinion piece:
‘We Would Win the Elections with 70% of the Vote’
Özel outlined the CHP’s strategy in the face of İmamoğlu’s incarceration:
“As the CHP, we will not stand still. I will be on top of the campaign bus; simultaneously, Mansur Yavaş will be in another city. Our group deputy chairpersons and MPs will be in different cities. We would win the elections with 70% of the vote and secure a parliamentary majority to amend the Constitution. We would change the Constitution, and İmamoğlu would return to his duties. A formula similar to the one found for Tayyip Erdoğan would be applied. Alternatively, preparations for a strengthened parliamentary system would be rapidly initiated with great enthusiasm. A President would be elected—Mansur Yavaş—and İmamoğlu would become Prime Minister. The President who contributes to this process would become a beloved figure in the hearts of the people.”
A Direct Challenge to Erdoğan
Özel’s remarks serve as a direct challenge to Erdoğan, suggesting that imprisoning İmamoğlu would only strengthen the CHP’s position:
“Even if you imprison İmamoğlu in Silivri, it increases our votes and diminishes yours.”
He emphasized that the CHP would secure 400 parliamentary seats, enabling them to amend the Constitution within 15 days and transition the country to a strengthened parliamentary system.
A Simple Yet Powerful Formula
Özel dismissed the need for complex strategies, proposing a straightforward plan:
“After winning the elections, we would select one of our cities and, through the judiciary, reinstate our presidential candidate whom you tried to eliminate from the political scene. First, we would make him an MP, then appoint him as Prime Minister.”
He warned that attempts to disqualify İmamoğlu by revoking his diploma or imprisoning him would not lead to electoral victory for Erdoğan.
CHP’s Resilience and Public Support
Özel highlighted the CHP’s resilience and the public’s growing support: “If İmamoğlu is not available, we have Mansur Yavaş. If not Yavaş, we have other candidates. We are not without options.”
He concluded by stating that Erdoğan’s actions have inadvertently strengthened the CHP: “You’ve done something that now benefits us even if we just drink water.”
Özel’s Personal Mission
Özel shared his personal political ambition: “I have only one plan for myself, which I have stated a hundred times and will say again. I want to go down in history as the technical director, the architect of the process that brought the CHP back to power after a hundred years and made its candidate President.”
These statements reflect Özel’s clear vision and determination to lead the CHP to victory, positioning himself as a strategic leader focused on the party’s success rather than personal political gain.
By Elif Çakir, KARAR Daily
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