Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu (C) appeared on stage together with the two competing candidates, Özcan (L) and Salıcı (R). He held their hands after he concluded his speech. DHA photoMain opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu had a message of change and “mental revolution” for social democrats at his party’s provincial congress in Istanbul yesterday.
“Social democrats are in need of a novel approach, a mental revolution. We are going to broaden our horizons and look up to the world rather than our own neighborhood. Social democrats ought to look upon the world with a broad perspective,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.
The CHP held its 34th Istanbul provincial congress in Istanbul yesterday, to vote for a provincial chairman. At the congress Kılıçdaroğlu came up on stage with the two candidates running for the office of CHP provincial chair.
Vying for the position were former CHP provincial chairman Ali Özcan and Oğuz Kaan Salıcı, the party’s current provincial chairman, supported by the CHP’s general headquarters. Some 638 delegates participated in the voting, which will also elect a provincial disciplinary council of nine, a provincial administration council of 40, and 170 grand convention delegates. The voting process was still underway as the Daily News went to print yesterday.
“The CHP will maintain a social democratic outlook on the world but also stand fast against injustices brought on by globalization. Hopelessness is unacceptable for members of the CHP. We are a party that wants society to look with hope toward the future. Our faith and will are strong. Even if only one CHP member were left standing, he would still be capable of solving this country’s problems,” said Kılıçdaroğlu. He also said he would not participate in the voting on the grounds that it would violate his neutrality.
Kılıçdaroğlu exited the hall to head for Ankara, after shaking hands with Gürsel Tekin and others present at the congress. (ISTANBUL - Doğan News Agency)
