Yeni Parti leader Özgür Özel told T24 that Ekrem İmamoğlu is a candidate "as long as he is legally eligible," adding that Mansur Yavaş's candidacy is also "a very important option." Özel said, "They will do everything so President Ekrem cannot run," and noted he was informed beforehand about Yavaş's September 9 meeting with Erdoğan.
Özel recalled that İmamoğlu became the people's presidential candidate with 15.5 million votes and stressed that withdrawal can only happen by his own decision. He added that he had prior knowledge of Yavaş's September 9 meeting with Erdoğan and saw no issue with it. He argued that they have not declared anyone as anyone's substitute.
