Gürsel Erol Calls for CHP and YENİ Party Unity: 'Could Be Full Merger or Election Alliance'

Gürsel Erol, a Member of Parliament for the Republican People's Party (CHP) from Elazığ, has issued a call for unity between the CHP and the recently established YENİ Party. Erol stated that internal divisions within the CHP are unproductive and urged for the current political situation to be managed with common sense and reconciliation, rather than blame.

“

We must act by seeking ways to come together again, not by blaming each other.

Erol expressed that he does not criticize party members who have left, thanking those who departed for their contributions and those who remain for their sense of responsibility. "We must act by seeking ways to come together again, not by blaming each other," he urged. He cited historical divisions within Turkish politics, such as the splits involving Muharrem İnce and Mustafa Sarıgül, and the CHP-SHP separation, as examples that led to electoral losses. Erol specifically mentioned the 1994 Ankara Metropolitan Municipality elections as a loss attributed to the division on the left.

Advocating for the CHP and YENİ Party to collaborate once more, Erol suggested possibilities ranging from a full merger to an electoral alliance. "This could be a full merger, or it could be an election alliance. Options such as a joint presidential candidate and common lists for parliamentary elections can be evaluated. Our struggle is to ensure that the two structures act together again," he stated.

“

This could be a full merger, or it could be an election alliance. Options such as a joint presidential candidate and common lists for parliamentary elections can be evaluated. Our struggle is to ensure that the two structures act together again.

Erol revealed that following a decision of absolute nullity, Özgür Özel held private meetings with several MPs, and subsequently, contact was made with Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Erol prepared a reconciliation proposal to prevent the party's division, aiming to protect the CHP from harm. He presented this model to Kılıçdaroğlu, suggesting that Kılıçdaroğlu continue as party leader until the election process, with Özgür Özel overseeing political field operations. Erol also proposed forming a joint Central Executive Board acceptable to both factions, determining parliamentary candidates through mutual agreement, and managing the election process collectively. He noted that Kılıçdaroğlu responded positively to the proposal, which was later conveyed to Özel.

“

My security is not the general chairmen, but the people of Elazığ.

Erol addressed interpretations of his meetings with both Kılıçdaroğlu and Özel, asserting his identity as an MP for the CHP, not aligned with any specific leader. "Leaders come and go; the permanent entity is the institutional identity of the Republican People's Party. I am neither a Kemalist nor an Özgürist; I am CHP," he declared. He emphasized that he does not engage in politics for positions or seats, recalling instances where he ran against party leaders when necessary. "If politics is done for a seat, I will withdraw and leave the seat to someone else," he stated, adding that his security comes not from party leaders but from the people of Elazığ.

“

I am neither a Kemalist nor an Özgürist; I am CHP.