CHP leader Ozgur Ozel vows to pressure Ankara over Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s arrest, promising regular demonstrations and rallies against the jailing.
The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has reelected its leader ‘Ozgur Ozel’ at an extraordinary party congress in Ankara. The 50-year-old ‘Ozgur Ozel’ was reelected by an overwhelming majority of 1,171 ballots out of 1,276 cast.
A Call for Action Against Ekrem Imamoglu’s Arrest
Ozel vowed to stage rallies against the jailing of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was arrested and removed from office last month on corruption and terrorism allegations. The CHP has been leading anti-government protests in Turkey since ‘Imamoglu’s arrest’ , and Ozel promised that the party would continue to press Ankara over the issue.
Ekrem Imamoglu is a Turkish politician and the current Mayor of Istanbul.
Born on June 4, 1969, in Istanbul, Turkey, he has been actively involved in politics for over two decades.
Imamoglu served as the Mayor of Beylikduzu from 2009 to 2013 and later became the Mayor of Istanbul in 2019.
He is known for his progressive policies and commitment to improving the lives of Istanbul's residents.
Regular Demonstrations Planned
Ozel also announced plans for regular demonstrations in Istanbul and a protest against ‘Imamoglu’s jailing’ every weekend in different cities. The CHP has been seeking to capitalize on mass opposition to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s rule, and Ozel’s re-election is seen as a significant development in the party’s efforts.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan is a Turkish politician who has been serving as the President of Turkey since 2014.
Born on February 26, 1954, in Istanbul, Erdogan rose to prominence as the Mayor of Istanbul from 1994 to 1998 and later became the Prime Minister of Turkey from 2003 to 2014.
He is known for his conservative and Islamist policies, which have been a subject of controversy both domestically and internationally.
Erdogan has been instrumental in shaping Turkey's foreign policy, particularly with regards to its relations with Europe and the Middle East.
A Response to Authorities’ Concerns
The CHP held an extraordinary congress after concerns were raised that Turkish authorities would appoint a trustee to run the party following a criminal investigation into alleged irregularities around its last summit two years ago. However, Ozel was not challenged for the leadership position, and his re-election has been seen as a major victory for the opposition party.
