Main opposition leader dismisses rumors of rift with party member İstanbul mayor

Özgür Özel, leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), has firmly rejected rumors of a rift between him and popular CHP member İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.

İmamoğlu ended the yearslong Justice and Development Party (AKP) rule in İstanbul with the support of other opposition parties in 2019 and is seeking re-election in March.

In a recent interview with BBC’s Turkish edition (BBC Türkçe), Özel emphasized his lifelong commitment to unity within his team, stating, “I have never envied anyone on my team throughout my life. Those trying to sow discord and division between me and İmamoğlu are waiting in vain. … President [Recep Tayyip] Erdoğan’s only hope is ‘Will they have a falling out?’ We will not.”

Erdoğan recently announced the slogan “Yeniden İstanbul” (Once Again İstanbul), highlighting the ruling party’s focus on reclaiming the major cities it lost in 2019, especially İstanbul. Incumbent mayor İmamoğlu remains a strong contender. His election was a critical loss for the AKP, and they are keen on regaining this key city.

The mayor, who is battling a court case, was officially barred from politics after being convicted in December of “insulting a public official” and sentenced to nearly three years in prison.

İmamoğlu appealed and can still serve as mayor.

But the possibility of a higher court upholding the sentence effectively ruled him out of running against President Erdoğan in the May general election.

Approximately two months ago, Özel was elected party leader during the CHP’s 38th Ordinary Congress, marking the end of the Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu era. He now finds himself in the midst of a fast-paced and intense political landscape. As the new leader, his first significant test will be the upcoming local elections on March 31.

Polls suggest that a majority of Kurdish voters in İstanbul still favor İmamoğlu in the local elections. The CHP, in its bid to retain control of the major cities won in 2019, such as Ankara and İstanbul, is preparing for an intense campaign. The party plans to select candidates based on public opinion polls and consultation with civil society and professional organizations.

Despite unsuccessful negotiations for election cooperation with the nationalist opposition İYİ (Good) Party, Özel remains optimistic. He also mentioned an unfruitful courtesy visit to the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) regarding election cooperation.

Responding to questions about the party’s internal selection process for the candidates, Özel highlighted the use of satisfaction surveys in CHP strongholds. “If the current mayors perform well, we continue with them; otherwise, we discuss their performance or conduct new surveys. If there are multiple viable candidates for a position, we prioritize female candidates. If not, we let our organization choose through a vote,” he said.

Regarding İstanbul and Ankara’s mayors, Özel underscored that final decisions are made collectively with local party leaders, dismissing notions that İmamoğlu and Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş have overriding authority in their respective cities. He also anticipates increased nominations of female candidates in CHP strongholds.

On the topic of alliances, Özel acknowledged the challenges of not forming alliances but remains hopeful about capturing municipalities not currently under CHP control. He perceives Erdoğan’s inability to field candidates against İmamoğlu and Yavaş in İstanbul and Ankara as a testament to their strong performance, despite government opposition.

Özel responded confidently to the rumors about İmamoğlu’s influence, stating that he is a leader who is committed to maintaining unity in the party. He is looking forward to working with İmamoğlu, other mayors and party officials to govern Turkey in five years.

Özel expressed his intention to seek advice from former party leader Kılıçdaroğlu and is open to a possible collaboration with Homeland Party leader Muharrem İnce.