Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu: 'I am in deep sorrow and indescribable shame'

Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu, the wife of Istanbul's mayor and Republican People's Party (CHP) presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, has voiced profound sorrow, deep concern, and "indescribable shame" following the appointment of a trustee to the CHP headquarters. In a statement released on social media, she condemned the action as a grave assault on democratic politics and the rule of law.

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I am in deep sorrow, deep concern, and indescribable shame for our democracy and our country.

"This is not merely an intervention against a political party; it is a severe blow directed at the will of millions of citizens, democratic politics, and the rule of law," İmamoğlu stated. She emphasized that such a significant anti-democratic measure and an attempt to dismantle civil politics are unprecedented in the party's and the country's history. She argued that attempting to silence opponents through legal means when they cannot be defeated at the ballot box only undermines democracy.

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This is not merely an intervention against a political party; it is a severe blow directed at the will of millions of citizens, democratic politics, and the rule of law.

İmamoğlu asserted that the CHP is a strong representative of Turkey's founding values, democratic struggle, and the people's will. She described the events befalling the party as a major rupture and a "disgrace to democracy" in the second century of the Republic. The core issue, she contended, extends beyond the CHP itself, questioning the independence of the judiciary, the value of citizens' votes, and the future direction of Turkey's democratic path.

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Trying to silence with the hand of law those who cannot be defeated at the ballot box results in nothing but damaging democracy.

Despite the gravity of the situation, İmamoğlu expressed her enduring faith in the eventual triumph of the rule of law, democratic values, and social peace, attributing this hope to the conscientious citizens of Turkey who uphold justice and democracy.

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This situation experienced by the Republican People's Party is a major rupture and a disgrace to democracy for our country in the second century of our Republic.