Agenda at CHP: Local elections and candidates! 'Alliance without bargaining' detail draws attention

Having left its 38th Ordinary Congress behind, the Republican People's Party has begun its local election preparations.

GREEN LIGHT FROM ÖZEL FOR A MEETING WITH AKŞENER

Chairman Özgür Özel stated in a television program he attended that local election preparations would accelerate in the new week. Özel also said that he could meet with IYI Party leader Meral Akşener, who had previously closed the doors to an alliance.

As a result of these developments, the CHP MYK will determine its roadmap for the local elections at its meeting in the new week.

According to the report in Cumhuriyet; in this context, topics such as when candidate applications will be accepted, where they will be submitted, and the dates for resignations for candidacy will be scheduled. With the assignments to be made after the meeting, it is expected that the party's organizations, members of parliament, and party assembly members will go to the field to prepare the reports requested by CHP leader Özel for the candidate determination processes. 

HOW WILL CANDIDATES BE DETERMINED?

Accordingly, the party's organizations and the delegations sent by the headquarters with members of parliament will create two separate reports. The reports to be prepared will include assessments such as in which province or district it would be beneficial to hold a primary election, and in which district the headquarters can decide on the candidate.

Emphasizing that the organization's opinion will be valued on these issues, party officials say, “We want to put a ballot box in front of the organization in as many places as possible. However, in some places, they say it themselves. For example, they say, 'There is a candidate here, there is no need for you to hold a primary election here.' We take this into account as well. We will decide together with our organizations on whatever the most appropriate method is. If a decision for a primary election has been made, we will abide by the result.”

Regarding primary elections in some regions, the party's provincial chairs also assess, “A primary election does not guarantee that we will win the election everywhere. For example, a primary election was held in a district before, and nearly four candidates competed. But we still couldn't win the elections there. Candidates compete in the primary, there is competition and excitement, but then that excitement in the primary is not reflected in the elections. Therefore, what is important is a primary election that will reflect in practice and yield results. The party management also wants to hold such a primary election under the supervision of the organization in as many places as possible.”

'NO BARGAINING'

The party management also points to a satisfaction criterion for incumbent mayors. Stating that if the citizens living in that region are satisfied with the services, the mayor will continue, officials commented, “We will conduct satisfaction measurements for this.” Officials say that everything can start anew with change. Stating that what is important here is that there is no bargaining over candidacies, officials say, “We had formed alliances to establish a democratic front against the authoritarian regime in the country. But then there were bargains such as the issue of giving parliamentary seats or ministries. We are now saying that an alliance can be made for the benefit of Turkey. Sacrifices can be made for the people. But a union where there is bargaining would not be right.” 

'DOORS NOT CLOSED TO IYI PARTY'

Regarding an alliance with the IYI Party, CHP officials said, “The doors are not closed,” and expressed the following views:

“Despite this, we must underline that the party is preparing to enter the elections on its own in every province and district. The CHP can field candidates everywhere.”

News Source: 12punto