Underscoring that DSP candidates will not be required to be CHP members in order to enter the elections on the CHP's candidate lists, Baykal said: "We will not require anybody to become a CHP member. DSP members can run for parliament from our lists and can preserve their identity." Baykal also asserted they would be proud if Sezer were to run for parliament from the CHP lists, but Sezer responded: "My decision not to be a candidate is still in effect. This is a principle, and social democrats are loyal to their principles."Baykal unlined that their move will prove beneficial to Turkey: “Our efforts to ensure a merger in the future with the same values will continue after entering Parliament. I have stated that I see no problem in sustaining our distinct identities. Sezer’s statement that he would not run for Parliament is correct.” He added: “I would like to thank everybody, including the press members who ruthlessly criticized us for pre-election cooperation, whether they have supported us or not. This is one of the happiest days of my political career.”Sezer disclosed that the delay in the cooperation should be seen as attempts to remove obstacles that may arise in future. “I sincerely agree with [Baykal’s] assertion that this is a historical day,” he said. “This cooperation must have consequences that will take Turkey to brighter days. Cooperation in these elections will create hope and contentment. When our society feels hope and content we too feel happy. There are serious problems with respect to the economy. In this respect this election cooperation is very important. The fact that the identities of DSP deputies will continue will not prevent us from cooperating in Parliament,” he said.
Baykal affirmed his respect for the late former Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit, founder of the DSP, and thanked the former DSP leader’s wife Rahşan Ecevit, the founding chairwoman of the DSP, for her support.
