CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu gave remarkable messages on many issues, from Ekrem İmamoğlu's detention to the division in CHP, from the congress case to his relationship with Özgür Özel.
Speaking about Ekrem İmamoğlu's arrest and presidential candidacy in his interview with Euronews Turkish, Kılıçdaroğlu said that he did not see İmamoğlu as a "political prisoner" and said, "He is not a political prisoner, he is not a person who was taken in because of his political views."
Kılıçdaroğlu said, "We cannot now declare a person as a presidential candidate and then call it a political case just because this happened. And I am the one who went and voted [for his candidacy]. Presidential candidacy is separate, these cases are separate." he said.
Stating that İmamoğlu could be tried, but he did not think his arrest was right, Kılıçdaroğlu said, "He can be tried, but I did not find his arrest right. I still have the same opinion today." he said.
Stating that he is open to cooperation if the legal obstacles in front of İmamoğlu are removed and he becomes a candidate, Kılıçdaroğlu said that the opposition must act together in order to win the election.
Kılıçdaroğlu said, "Now how will you get 51 percent? By cooperation. How will you get it without cooperation?" he said. Leaving the door open to meeting with Özgür Özel, Kılıçdaroğlu said, "Of course, if Özgür Bey wants to meet, we will of course sit down and talk." he said.
Speaking about the impact of the division in CHP on the party, Kılıçdaroğlu argued that there was no shift in the base.
However, admitting that the division would cause a loss of power for the party, Kılıçdaroğlu said, "Look, has the party been divided into two? It has been divided. Will this cause a loss? It will. I have to tell you the truth. Will it lose power? Of course it will." he said.
Kılıçdaroğlu, who also evaluated the case regarding the 38th Ordinary Congress of the CHP, on which a decision of absolute nullity was given, said that he was not a party to the process.
Kılıçdaroğlu said, "I am not a party to this case. I am not suing. I am not testifying. I am not involved anywhere in this case."
Stating that the congress should be held again, Kılıçdaroğlu stated that the purpose of their return to duty after the court decision was to hold the new congress.
Emphasizing clean politics within the CHP, Kılıçdaroğlu said that people with allegations of corruption should be held accountable.
Kılıçdaroğlu said, "If you do not hold him accountable, you are cowardly. He will say, "I will answer for this everywhere, in every environment. I will answer for the blind penny. This is the CHP member we know. He is the one who gives the blind penny." he said.
Then he said, "Whoever is involved in bribery has no business in this party." Kılıçdaroğlu argued that one should not be afraid of being held accountable.
Kılıçdaroğlu announced that he gave instructions to the party organizations regarding the New Party. Kılıçdaroğlu said, "I said, 'You will never, ever criticize. You will never, ever fight.' The place we will criticize is the government." he said.
Stating that there should be no personal hostility in politics, Kılıçdaroğlu said, "There is no grudge, anger or hostility in politics. There is only one thing in politics, what is important is the interests of the country and the peace of the people living in that country." he said.
Evaluating the early election strategy of the Özgür Özel administration, Kılıçdaroğlu argued that calling for elections alone was not enough.
Kılıçdaroğlu said, "It is not important that you give an early election date. You will force early elections." he said. When asked whether he wanted early elections, he said: "I do. I always want it." he replied.
Kılıçdaroğlu, who also criticized the timing of the presidential candidacy debates, said, "An unborn child is not worth the money."
Arguing that issues such as unemployment, poverty, retirees' problems and young people's search for a future abroad should be on the country's agenda, Kılıçdaroğlu said that politics should produce solutions to these problems.
