CHP Leader Özel Committed to İmamoğlu’s Candidacy: “No Plan B, Only İmamoğlu”

Main Opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel has made a series of high-stakes declarations regarding Turkey’s political future, the upcoming presidential race, and escalating regional tensions. Speaking to the press, Özel sent a clear message to President Erdoğan: the opposition will not back down from supporting Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, even if he remains behind bars.

March 2: A Vision for the Future

Özel announced that on March 2, the CHP will unveil a comprehensive “350-person shadow cabinet” and a list of “20 priority promises.” This rollout is designed to present the party as a government-in-waiting. “We will appear before Turkey with a presentation explaining how we will produce permanent solutions to this country’s problems,” Özel stated, describing the current political climate as “the largest election campaign in world political history.”

“The Bill Must Be Paid by Erdoğan”

Addressing the ongoing “candidacy” debates and the legal hurdles facing Ekrem İmamoğlu, Özel was unequivocal. He emphasized that the public perceives the legal pressure on İmamoğlu as a violation of “Anatolian wisdom” and fairness.

“It is not right to nominate a new candidate without making Erdoğan pay the price for preventing Ekrem İmamoğlu from running,” Özel remarked. “My Plan A, B, C, through to Z is İmamoğlu. Even if he is in prison, he is our candidate, provided his eligibility remains.”

Özel recalled the 2019 Istanbul election annulment, citing a lifelong AKP voter in Fatih who switched to İmamoğlu because “justice was violated.” He argued that the jump from a 13,000-vote lead to an 806,000-vote victory was a direct result of the public’s rejection of “usurping rights.”

Tensions Over Prison Visits and Rallies

The CHP leader also addressed the recent blocks on visiting İmamoğlu in prison, following the appointment of Akın Gürlek as the new Justice Minister. “If they do not allow the visits, we will come down on them (tepelerine bineriz),” Özel warned. “They have no choice but to grant that permission.”

In preparation for the upcoming political season, the party has scheduled a major rally at Saraçhane on March 19, with additional regional rallies planned for Eyüpsultan, Kadıköy, and Üsküdar.

Foreign Policy and the “1 March” Warning

With the shadow of a potential US-Iran conflict looming over the region, Özel drew a historical parallel to the 2003 “1 March Mandate” regarding Iraq. He expressed concern that President Erdoğan might attempt a similar “bargain” with the United States today.

“We are talking about someone who once promised the US the 1 March mandate,” Özel noted, adding that the stance of MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli would be “decisive” if Erdoğan pursues a similar deal regarding Iran.

No Constitutional Deal with the Current Government

Finally, Özel closed the door on collaborating with the ruling People’s Alliance on a new constitution. “We have no intention of making a constitution with this government,” he said, asserting that the CHP would not be a “lead actor” in a process where their core values are sidelined.