Erbakan presents his conditions to Erdoğan for an alliance in Istanbul

The behind-the-scenes details of the meeting held on December 12 between AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and New Welfare Party (YRP) leader Fatih Erbakan have emerged.

According to a report by Cumhuriyet, Erdoğan told Erbakan during the meeting that he wants to form an alliance with the YRP in metropolitan cities.

It was learned that Erdoğan requested the YRP to establish a commission to continue alliance negotiations, asked for traffic between the parties to begin at the level of deputy chairmen, and requested a final decision by the end of December. 

YRP IS OPEN TO AN ALLIANCE

It was learned that the New Welfare Party is also open to an alliance in metropolitan cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Manisa, and Bursa. 

YRP'S ALLIANCE CONDITIONS

It was learned that if the AKP wins the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), the YRP wants control over IMM subsidiaries such as İGDAŞ and City Restaurants. During the alliance process, the YRP would field candidates in districts currently held by the AKP, such as Sultanbeyli, Sancaktepe, or Güngören, or in districts held by the CHP, such as Ataşehir or Sarıyer, with the AKP providing support.

TEVFİK GÖKSU CONSIDERED FOR PROVINCIAL CHAIRMANSHIP

It was learned that Esenler Mayor Tevfik Göksu, whose name was mentioned for the IMM candidacy, has been sidelined, and that Göksu is being considered for the seat of AKP Istanbul Provincial Chairman after the elections. The name of the current provincial chairman, Osman Nuri Kabaktepe, is being mentioned for Ordu.  

On the other hand, it was learned that the AKP is seeking support from the YRP in the districts of Eyüpsultan and Üsküdar, which it currently holds but sees a risk of losing. In metropolitan cities, it is being discussed that the party could enter the elections with a YRP candidate in Malatya or Konya. 

It is also being discussed that HÜDA PAR will not field candidates outside of the eastern provinces and will support the AKP. It was claimed that HÜDA PAR wants Diyarbakır.

News Source: 12punto