CHP Leader Özel: 'This is not a territorial struggle, but a frontal battle'

Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi (CHP) leader Özgür Özel has accused the ruling AK Party of orchestrating a "civilian coup" to undermine democracy and disenfranchise voters. In an interview with BirGün newspaper, Özel stated that the AK Party, fearing electoral defeat, is attempting to leave the nation "without candidates, without a party, without options."

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Now the ruling party, which sees that it can no longer win elections, wants to leave the nation without candidates, without a party, without options. For this, a civilian coup has been attempted and this coup is being continued, which does not hesitate to sacrifice the peace and welfare of our nation.

Özel characterized the current political climate as a "struggle for territory" and a "frontal battle," not merely an internal party issue. He asserted that the conflict is now between the "ruling party, which abuses public powers for its own benefit and violates the constitutional order," and the "86 million people" of Turkey. He framed it as a contest between "Erdoğan and Turkey."

The CHP leader drew parallels to the party's historical struggles, noting that while the CHP has faced coups and closures before, the current situation involves an "appointed management" and the "elected cadres" being removed by court order, with the party headquarters being "ransacked by police force."

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This issue is no longer just an internal CHP matter. This issue is between the ruling party, which abuses public powers for its own benefit and violates the constitutional order, and 86 million people. This issue is between Erdoğan and Turkey.

Özel introduced the concept of an "absolute nullity-absolute sultan alliance," suggesting that President Erdoğan is attempting to install a "nullity management" over the CHP to face a "defeated CHP" rather than a victorious one. He claimed that the AK Party's judicial actions aim to steer the CHP towards "AK Party nullity branches."

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Erdoğan has appointed a nullity management to the head of the CHP. On one side is the 'winning CHP,' on the other is the 'defeated CHP.'

He declared that the CHP stands on the side of the people, not the "established order" or "black order of the AK Party," which he believes serves the interests of a select few. Özel emphasized that the current movement is for a "free, independent, just, and democratic Turkey," driven by principles and ideals rather than positions or power. He concluded by stating that the CHP must purge itself of those who support the "black order" and those who desire a "defeated CHP."

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We are the cadres who stand on the side of the people, not the established order, just as we were 100 years ago. This march is the march of the nation.