The leader of Turkey's opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Özgür Özel, pledged to continue protests in support of the detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, while renewing his call on Sunday for early elections in the country.

Özel reiterated his stance during an extraordinary conference held by his party under the slogan "The Will of the Nation."

Addressing the government, he said, as reported by Turkish media, "If you have the courage, you will come to early elections."

Hinting that the elections could be held as early as November, Özel continued his remarks directed at Turkey's ruling party and government, saying, "We challenge you... We will save Turkey once again."

Last week, Özel indicated that they would launch a broad campaign demanding İmamoğlu's trial without detention and the organization of early elections as soon as possible.

In an interview with the opposition newspaper Sözcü , Özel noted that "their goal in the upcoming elections will be the same number of votes Erdoğan received in the last election in Turkey" (27 million).

Meanwhile, İmamoğlu, in a message read by his party during the extraordinary conference on Sunday, stated, "This government does not want a competing candidate, nor does it want a competing party, nor does it want free and fair elections."

He added, "Regardless of what they do, we will succeed! We will defeat oppression and tyranny."