Istanbul Mayor İmamoğlu takes first step to become CHP's presidential candidate

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has applied for the CHP presidential primary. His candidacy comes amidst a barrage of legal proceedings against him, including a recent lawsuit that seeks a political ban and prison time.

Duvar English

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on Feb. 21 submitted his application to run in the Republican People's Party (CHP) presidential primary.

All CHP members will vote to elect the candidate in its March 23 primary. 

İmamoğlu's lawyer, Mehmet Pehlivan, carried out the application process. Pehlivan presented İmamoğlu’s application documents to Gül Çiftçi, CHP’s Deputy Chair responsible for Elections and Internal Party Law.

İmamoğlu shared a statement on social media regarding his candidacy.

“Today, I took the first step in a new beginning and officially applied to become the presidential candidate of the Republican People's Party, an organization I am honored to be a member of."

He continued, "We are embarking on a journey with our nation, which longs for dignity, freedom, justice, prosperity, and unity. We aim to make our state democratic and strong, our nation wealthy and peaceful, and our citizens equal and free."

The candidate promised to reimplement "parliamentary democracy, the separation of powers, and checks and balances" as soon as possible. "We will prioritize democratic participation," İmamoğlu vowed. 

He continued, "We will ensure that justice is not the tool of those in power but the foundation of the state. We will free public institutions, science, arts, sports, and the media from partisanship. We will not see our rivals as enemies but turn political competition into a fair, civil, and honorable contest before the people."

"We will stand together for our country, our unity, and our goal of a strong Turkey. With the strong participation and prayers of our people, may our path be clear,” the primary candidate concluded his message. 

Former CHP lawmaker Dursun Çiçek also submitted his candidacy in the presidential primary after collecting the necessary 20 signatures. He said forcing a single-candidate race would discredit the process and expressed his confidence in the primary system.

İmamoğlu's candidacy comes amidst a barrage of legal proceedings against him. Most recently, he faces up to four years in prison and a political ban for his remarks involving an expert witness with the initials of S.B.