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The suspended leader of the Turkish main opposition party, Republican People's Party (CHP)'s Ozgur Ozel, stated Saturday that he did not recognize the court's absolute nullity ruling, that no power-sharing agreement had been reached with Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who was reinstated to his position as chairman of the CHP by the court.
He added that the party must convene a congress within 40 days, delivering the remarks after being reelected as CHP's parliamentary group chair with 110 votes at a closed meeting of CHP deputies.
"There is no such agreement. We do not recognize the nullity ruling, so there is nothing to agree on," Ozel told reporters after the closed group meeting.
"The only agreement that is essential is this: the congress convening within the 40 days provided by our charter, and the party emerging from these discussions to continue its march to power," he added.
Ozel said the group meeting had been planned three days earlier, but acquired fresh significance after the nullity ruling. Under CHP's internal parliamentary group regulations, if the group chairmanship falls vacant, an election must be held at the first closed group meeting.
Ozel said he raised the legal necessity of holding such an election and was nominated and reelected with the support of 110 deputies, receiving all votes cast except one.
"The fact that no division beyond the known one exists within CHP's group has been made visible," Ozel said. He noted that claims had been circulating that 90 deputies stood behind the nullity ruling. "Today, 110 deputies made clear which decision they stand behind."
Ozel said he would chair CHP's Tuesday parliamentary group session both in his capacity as group chair and as party leader.
"I do not think Kilicdaroglu, brought back through a nullity ruling that AK Party's judiciary is trying to impose, would expect to come to the group session and speak, or that I would offer him the floor. I will not. Under those circumstances, he would not want it himself either, and it would not have social acceptance," Ozel said.
Ozel made clear he was setting a firm deadline for Kilicdaroglu to announce a congress.
"If within 40 days he makes a decision and takes a step, that will be the most correct decision for our party, our country and himself. If not, we will use the tools given to us by the Political Parties Law to take the step for a congress ourselves," he said.
On his phone call with Kilicdaroglu, Ozel described the conversation as cordial but unresolved. "He said 'let's hold a congress at the most appropriate time.' I told him the most appropriate time is the shortest time," Ozel said.
He added that technical teams from both sides would need to meet before any face-to-face encounter between the two leaders.
"I have spoken with Kilicdaroglu many times before and I will speak with him again, but I need to read the congress announcement in the newspaper first. After reading the newspaper announcement of the congress decision, of course I will sit and talk with the former general chairman. But after reading it in the newspaper," Ozel said.
He said Kilicdaroglu was welcome to attend the Party Assembly meeting if his intention was to call a congress within 40 days.
"If that hall is to be used for the purpose of calling a congress 40 days from now, then everyone, regardless of their current position, and Kilicdaroglu himself would be welcomed with hospitality when he enters and seen off with hospitality when he leaves. But only for that purpose," Ozel concluded.
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