Istanbul Mayor İmamoğlu launches website calling for ‘change’ within opposition

Duvar English

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has set up a website under the name of “Change for the Rulership” in which he asked citizens to share their opinions and suggestions.

“The key for change in the opposition is the Republican People’s Party. A determined will for change that starts in the CHP will lead to a will for renewal in the opposition in general and expansion of the universe of opposition to the extent that it (CHP) is successful in questioning political stances and institutionalizing intra-party democracy,” read the text shared on the website “iktidaricindegisim.org.”

The text said that Turkey is facing a dire situation in economy, democracy and justice system for which the current rulership is responsible for. However, the opposition has been "unable to be effective and be an alternative to the rulership” and has been “insufficient in the protection of democracy,” the text said. “Political parties are the real watchmen of democracy; they have a responsibility to protect and improve democracy.”

The text said that the opposition has been unable to “meet voters’ demand for change” and there is a need for opposition parties to analyze the reasons for the May election loss.

The text said that it is no longer possible for the opposition to “behave as if nothing happened and to insist on former mistakes.” “A change in the opposition and a transformation process will support the joint future of all fractions of society,” the text further said, calling on citizens to share how and what kind of a change they desire.

Following the CHP’s poor election performance and CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu’s election loss to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, İmamoğlu has frequently expressed his opinion for a change within the CHP. Kılıçdaroğlu on the other hand, has yet shown no intention to resign and has given the message that he plans to maintain his position.