YRP-AKP negotiations: Two districts requested each from Istanbul and Ankara
The YRP, which is continuing its talks with the AKP regarding the local elections, has announced its request for two districts each in Istanbul and Ankara to be left to their party as part of an alliance.
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Alliance negotiations between the AKP and the Yeniden Refah Party (YRP) regarding the local elections to be held on March 31 are ongoing.
While the Yeniden Refah Party has pointed to February 10 as the deadline for cooperation with the AKP in the local elections, it has announced its request for two districts each in Istanbul and Ankara to be left to their party as part of the alliance.
REQUEST FOR TWO DISTRICTS EACH IN ANKARA AND ISTANBUL
Speaking as a guest on Halk TV, YRP Deputy Chairman Suat Kılıç discussed his party's potential alliance with the AKP for the local elections to be held on March 31, 2024.
Stating that they have a request for two districts in Ankara, Kılıç said, "It could be Pursaklar, it could be Kızılcahamam. An assessment can be made in this context. We are sharing these with the public so that there is no perception that we have exaggerated demands behind closed doors."
THEY REQUESTED ONE DISTRICT EACH ON THE ANATOLIAN AND EUROPEAN SIDES
Stating that they have requested two districts in Istanbul, one on the European side and one on the Anatolian side, Kılıç spoke on the matter as follows:
"In Istanbul, it could be one district on the European side and one district on the Anatolian side. When taking the Yeniden Refah Party voters to the polls in metropolitan cities, no one can see them as a sure thing. If we are going to support the AKP's candidate in the Metropolitan Municipality for those who object to the AK Party, we should be able to say that this district on the European side will be left to us, and that district on the Anatolian side will be left to us. There is no secret about this anymore.
I am saying this as an example. We have definitely not named any specific ones. It could be Arnavutköy on the European side, and Sultanbeyli on the Anatolian side. Or it could be other equivalent districts. We do not have 40 percent of the vote in any of these. We have 3.5 percent of the vote across Istanbul. In the polls conducted today, our vote across Istanbul is at the 6-7 percent level. This is not a negotiation, we are seeking a consensus."