Özel-Erdoğan meeting yields first result: sustained dialogue ahead

The most significant outcome of the shift in the political landscape after March 31 local elections yet was the meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel.

The meeting, which started at 4:00 PM on May 2 and lasted about 1 hour and 30 minutes, took place at the ruling Justice and Deveopment Party (AKP) Headquarters in Ankara.

It was the first agenda-driven meeting between the leaders of the two parties in eight years.

AKP Group Deputy Chairman Mustafa Elitaş accompanied Erdoğan, while CHP Istanbul Deputy Namık Tan accompanied Özel.

The first result to emerge from the meeting was the continuation of dialogue between the two leaders, facilitated by the seating arrangement chosen by Erdoğan to host his guest.

Erdoğan’s decision to leave the chair next to him empty while seating Özel to the chair on his other side immediately caught the media’s attention.

Erdoğan did not schedule the meeting at the Presidential Complex in Beştepe to put Özel at ease, however did he intend to remind Özel of the presidential office by this seating arrangement?

Seating arrangements, another meeting at the CHP

AKP promptly issued a statement, clarifying that this was a standard practice. Although the meeting was not rushed, there was time to change the seating arrangement, but there was no ill-intention behind it.

Özel, on the other hand, expressed his discomfort with the seating arrangement and requested this issue to be redressed at the beginning of the meeting.

Upon this, Erdoğan instructed his Chief of Staff Hasan Doğan to promptly arrange a return visit to the CHP Headquarters. Contact for the appointment was established between Doğan and Özel’s Chief of Staff Gülen Ercan.

This indicates that this meeting was not a one-time event, and dialogue will continue. At least, the two leaders will meet once again. Will there be more? We will see. However, at this stage, it is undeniable that the voters who went to the polls on March 31, giving CHP 37.7 percent of the vote for the first time, surpassing AKP’s 35.5 percent, played a role in facilitating this dialogue.

Positive statements from both sides

Following the meeting, Özgür Özel told Sözcü’s İsmail Saymaz: “It went in a positive atmosphere. I am optimistic that it will yield positive results. We will follow developments in the coming days. We will conduct negotiation and struggle together.”

The last sentence of this statement was a reference to the former CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu’s statement “Not negotiation, but struggle.” If the meeting produces results, the implications within the CHP would be different.

Shortly after, AKP Spokesperson Ömer Çelik made the following statement:

“Our President is pleased with the visit of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel. The visit took place in a positive atmosphere. Our President has emphasized the need for the dialogue to continue. They will make a return visit at a time suitable for their schedule.”

So, in this meeting, which both Erdoğan and Özel cautiously viewed with satisfaction, what was discussed?

Content of the dialogue: Constitution, pensioners

It generally takes some time to fully understand what exactly was discussed in such meetings.

One and a half hours for the first dialogue is quite significant; it allows both sides to thoroughly express their issues. Additionally, we will likely have to wait for the second meeting at the CHP Headquarters to see if any progress has been made on the issues Özel raised.

Erdoğan’s expectations from the CHP are clear: support for ruling block’s new constitution efforts. It seems he also expressed a desire to work together on this issue. Özel had previously stated that he would listen to President’s constitutional proposal and would not close the door without consulting the CHP committees.

One of CHP’s important conditions in this regard is the implementation of the existing Constitution. This concretely translates into the situation of Can Atalay, whose parliamentary membership was revoked despite the decision of the Constitutional Court, and other Gezi Trial detainees. Additionally, the situation of sick prisoners.

Economic issues: for example, raising the minimum pension to the level of the minimum wage, as promised by the government before the elections. The removal of interviews in civil service appointments. Teacher appointments. The status of interns.

Proposal for cooperation in foreign policy

Özel made an interesting proposal during the meeting. This could be related to his choice of party official, retired ambassador Namık Tan, to accompany him. An important proposal in line with the continuation of the dialogue.

Previously, the CHP had stated that it would be an opposition party domestically but a Turkish party abroad. It seems he proposed to Erdoğan to work together and take a stance on issues they see as in Turkey’s interest, provided they were adequately informed.

We were saying, the March 31 results began to change the political climate.”