Joint statement from Ezer and Dervisoğlu: “Nothing unusual happened between us”
Responding to a question about normalization between the İYİ Party and the CHP, İYİ Party leader Dervisoglu said, “There is nothing abnormal between us,” and added:
“Dervisoğlu: 50th anniversary, it is an honor for all of us to be here at such a time. I pray for God’s mercy on those who have given us this honor. I commemorate with gratitude those who contributed to the Cypriot national struggle. The wisdom shown by the CHP at that time in taking the decision to expel will remain in history. We will celebrate our national pride together and experience our national sorrow together. I remember with gratitude Bulent Ecevit, who was the prime minister at the time. There was nothing abnormal between us when we decided to land in Cyprus 50 years ago, those who call for normalization usually talk about working with the CHP and the ruling party in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, but they were. Those who tried to profit politically by tensing society, turning that tension into polarization and profiting politically from it, demanded the normalization of these meetings, which are in fact routine meetings. Our relations have always been normal. We were the deputy chairmen of the opposition group, who contributed to the accurate, fast and proper functioning of the TMBB. It was those who abnormalized the process that we faced. The CHP may need to normalize with the AK Party, and the AK Party with the İyi Party. “Our relationship with the CHP was never abnormal.”
CHP leader Ezer stressed that a strong parliament must be established as soon as possible, saying:
“Until the state gives us a new mandate, we are the main opposition, the opposition party. Outside Turkey, we are a Turkish party. The two opposition leaders have changed, but both come from the same country. Our strong parliamentary group’s position on strengthening the parliamentary system was not in vain. We say today the same thing we said on the day we signed the document: we need a strong parliament. The fact that even the change of the opposition leader is done through the group’s vice-chairman is in the hearts of the Turkish Grand National Assembly and the parties, which the entire opposition has always supported. It really shows that this is a different place.”
The two leaders took the time to answer questions about the alliance before signing off.
In response to a question from the Alliance of Journalists, Delvishere said, “More than a year has passed since the election. There are about four years until the next election, and if it is held as scheduled, it will be a long time until the general election. I can’t say anything about that time yet.”
CHP leader Ezer said, “The time has come for each political party to explain its position to the people in the most accurate way, express the correct opposition and prepare for government. Previously, coalition talks would be held for 40 days after the election even if a party could not win the election alone, but if there is such a need as the elections approach, everything will be done within a reasonable period of time. We will unite if necessary.”
