Renowned journalist claims that Kılıçdaroğlu rejected İmamoğlu’s request to lead the transformative efforts within CHP.

 

Renowned journalist İsmail Saymaz has revealed that Kemal Kılıçdaorğlu, the leader of the main opposition party CHP, rejected the request made by Ekrem İmamoğlu, the Mayor of Istanbul, to spearhead a transformation within the party after their electoral defeat.

In an interview with Sözcü TV on June 5, Saymaz shared insights from the two meetings between İmamoğlu and Kılıçdaorğlu that took place last week. According to Saymaz, İmamoğlu expressed his willingness to lead the party’s transformation, emphasizing the need for immediate change before the upcoming local elections on March 31, 2024.

“At the meeting between Ekrem İmamoğlu and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, İmamoğlu proposed, ‘I can lead this change.’ He firmly believed that the change should be implemented without delay, well ahead of the local elections,” said Saymaz.

Following the recent electoral setback, the CHP experienced a wave of resignations from the majority of its Central Executive Board (MYK) members. In response, Kılıçdaorğlu appointed new individuals to fill these positions. However, it remains uncertain whether Kılıçdaorğlu himself will step down in light of the party’s poor performance.

In a similar vein, İmamoğlu had previously emphasized the inevitability of change after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s victory in the elections, stating, “Do not worry, everything starts anew. Remember, ‘The only constant is change.’”