Draft text prepared for CHP's Statute Congress revealed

Preparations for the Statute Congress of the Republican People's Party (CHP), scheduled for September 4-9, are ongoing.

The first draft text for the congress has been prepared. According to a report by Cumhuriyet, the draft text includes regulations on many issues, from the definition of membership to primary elections, the duration of the congress, and candidacy quotas.

NEW ADDITIONS TO MEMBERSHIP DEFINITION

Accordingly, it has been learned that "the obligation to pay dues, take part in ballot box duties, and attend in-party training" will be added to the party's membership definition. Thus, there will be no need for the "active-passive member" definition, which could cause problems for provinces with a low number of members.

PRECAUTION AGAINST 'PACKED MEMBERSHIPS'

With this definition, measures will also be taken against "packed memberships" that could cause problems in primary elections within the party. Only members who meet this definition will be able to vote in primary elections. 

HOW WILL PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES BE DETERMINED?

For the method of determining parliamentary candidates, the phrase "The Party Assembly decides based on primary elections or other methods, according to the recommendation of the provincial and district organizations" will be added to the statute. Thus, the negative outcomes of primary elections in some places will be prevented. A similar situation will be applied to mayoral candidacies. The opinion of the organization will again be taken into account in deciding whether or not to hold a primary election. However, even if the two candidacies are determined, the final say will rest with the Party Assembly based on the organization's recommendation. 

Furthermore, the draft text envisions increasing the headquarters' candidate determination quota, which is 5 percent according to the current statute, to 15 percent in primary elections. However, it is noted that this proposal may be changed as it is not in compliance with current laws. 

GENDER QUOTA INCREASING

In addition, there is consideration to gradually increase the gender quota, which is 33 percent in the current statute, to 50 percent. It is reported that the draft also includes the phrase "Can serve for three terms" for the term limit of mayors and members of parliament, but with the addition of the phrase "This rule does not apply to those who emerge from primary elections."

It was also learned that a change is envisioned for the party's provincial and district congresses as well as the general congress, replacing the phrase "Held every two years" with "Held every three years. This article shall be put into effect immediately." Thus, the CHP, which will hold its next congress in 2025, would go to a congress in 2026 if the change is made. On the other hand, it was stated that the draft text does not contain a clause regarding the determination of the presidential candidate.

‘THERE IS NO FULL CONSENSUS ON EVERY ISSUE, THESE ARE PROPOSALS’

Stating that the changes are included in the first draft text that has emerged, members of the statute commission shared the information: "Our statute commission will meet again on Monday. These are just the written versions of the proposals discussed. Our chairman will also meet with our previous chairman, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. The opinions of the provincial chairmen will be taken again. In other words, there will definitely be changes in this text. Because there is no full consensus on every issue, these are proposals."

ÖZEL TO MEET WITH KILIÇDAROĞLU

In this context, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel is expected to meet with CHP's 7th Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu tomorrow and also attend the Ankara Provincial Advisory Board meeting to gather the opinions of the members. It is said that on Monday, the opinions of both the statute commission and the party assembly members regarding the draft text will be heard.