Kılıçdaroğlu says will not apply as candidate for chairmanship, points out party’s decision

Özgür Özel is a potential candidate who will challenge Kılıçdaroğlu

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu

As the main opposition CHP enters its 38th congress process, it is widely expected that Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who currently commands an overwhelming majority of delegates in the party, will be reelected as the leader.

“I will not be a candidate. I have never been a candidate before, and I have never submitted a petition. The organization has nominated me,” Kılıçdaroğlu said in a conversation with journalist Deniz Zeyrek.

On the other hand, Özgür Özel, the parliamentary group chair of the CHP, has expressed his intention to run for the party’s chairmanship.

Özel confidently asserted, “I have faith, a strong belief and determination. We will release a document outlining our stance.”

Kılıçdaroğlu, who experienced defeat against incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the May elections, remains a focal point of discussions within the party.

Notably, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu is among those advocating for Kılıçdaroğlu to step down from the party’s leadership.

“If we have not succeeded in attaining power, it signifies our complicity to some degree,” Imamoğlu expressed. “The CHP must manifest a profound transformation for itself.”

Addressing these critics, Kılıçdaroğlu emphasized, “You have every right to criticize, but it is not accurate to claim that I made superhuman efforts to retain my position.”

By Breaking News Turkey

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