Özgür Özel answers live: Will there be a return to the CHP?

Özgür Özel said YENİ Party has raised more than 539 million lira from 152,000 donors to rent its headquarters and party bus. Speaking in the party’s first live broadcast from its new Ankara headquarters, Özel also said more than 600,000 citizens had joined within 18 days.

Özel said party members would have a direct role in choosing the headquarters. He highlighted the membership figure by comparing it with the number of members the AKP had gained during its first year, saying YENİ Party’s total was many times higher.

“

I am hopeful about the Supreme Court’s decision. The interim measure imposed by the regional appeals court is not acceptable.

Asked whether he would return to the CHP, Özel pointed to an expected Supreme Court ruling in September over an appeal against an Ankara regional appeals court decision involving the CHP. “I am hopeful about the Supreme Court’s decision,” he said. “I will not return to that party. The New Party will continue on its new path.”

“

I will not return to that party. The New Party will continue on its new path.

Özel argued that if the contested interim measure were lifted and the administrators installed through the annulment decision left, the CHP would need to hold a congress and transfer control to elected figures. He said the party could not be handed over to what he called the product of a coup.

He also addressed CHP figures who remain close to his administration but did not join YENİ Party. “We left them there so that, if the interim measure is lifted, they can call a congress,” Özel said. Responding to Muharrem İnce’s comment that it was difficult to establish a party with lawful money, Özel said he had initially taken offense, but that İnce later clarified he was referring to the difficulties of founding the Memleket Party with legitimate funds.

“

We left them there so that, if the interim measure is lifted, they can call a congress.