Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kiliçdaroglu speaks after his confirmation as Turkey’s opposition candidate between Meral Aksener (left) and Temel Karamollaoglu (right) in Ankara March 6, 2023 ‘AFP PHOTO / REPUBLICAN PEOPLE’S PARTY (CHP) PRESS SERVICE’
Donning the costume of the opposition candidate for the Turkish presidential elections on Monday, March 6, Kemal Kiliçdaroglu, after months of negotiations, confabulations and even psychodrama, has been able to experience several sensations in recent days, including the discreet pleasure of a clear revenge.
Attacked and criticized from all sides by the muse of the nationalist right Meral Aksener, but an integral part of the opposition coalition, he has been able to keep the leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) at bay for a year, the formation created by Ataturk, the founder of the republic , managed to garner six sentences around his name, a tour de force few politicians can claim.
In a last-minute reversal, the secret of which is Turkish political life, a compromise was finally found Monday in Ankara between the restless Good Party president and the five other formations of this coalition called the People’s Alliance, also dubbed the “People’s Alliance”. becomes. the table of six”. Kemal Kiliçdaroglu, leader of the main opposition Justice and Development Party (AKP), will take on indestructible President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been in power for 20 years.
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“Our table is that of peace and brotherhood. Our primary goal is to bring prosperous, peaceful and joyful days to Turkey. As a National Alliance, we will govern Turkey through consultation and consensus,” the candidate promised, specifying that the presidents of the other parties in the coalition would act as vice-presidents during the transition period. “We will give back to the people what was stolen from the people (…). I’m not the candidate, we’re all candidates,” he then began to cheer in front of his movement’s headquarters, surrounded by Ekrem Imamoglu and Mansur Yavas, the two popular mayors from Istanbul and Ankara respectively.
“Mobilize as many voters as possible”
Meral Aksener, She finally returned to the negotiating table after causing surprise on Friday by speaking out harshly against Kemal Kiliçdaroglu’s candidacy. “This alliance no longer allows joint discussion of potential candidates: it has turned into a notary working for the admission of a single candidate,” she criticized. The statement, which was quickly interpreted as sabotage at the “six table”, had caused consternation in the opposition. Several party members, surprised and disappointed, decided to throw in the towel.
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