The opposition coalition has finally nominated its candidate for president less than 70 days from the election. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu will challenge the 20-year rule of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in an election that promises to be the most consequential in recent Turkish history.
The Nation Alliance Made up of the CHP, Democrat Party, DEVA Party, Future Party, IYI Party and Felicity Party finally came to an agreement on a common candidate for their coalition. What was rumored for the longest time came to fruition as CHP Chair Mr. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has been nominated by the coalition to run against Erdoğan in this year’s election.
The coalition was almost destroyed only days ago as IYI party chair Meral Akşener scolded the coalition for wanting to nominate Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu and momentarily left the coalition. Akşener demanded that either Istanbul Mayor Imamoğlu or Ankara Mayor Yavaş be nominated instead. Akşener was only convinced to return to the coalition earlier today as both mayors persuaded Turkey’s iron lady. The compromised position will instead see one of the mayors serve as Vice President.
Opposition releases agenda
The opposition released a 12 point agenda upon Kılıçdaroğlu’s announcement. The coalition is sticking to it’s plan to revert Turkey back to a parliamentary democracy from a presidential one, which gave President Erdoğan sweeping powers following a 2017 referendum he narrowly won. The opposition has been demanding a return to a “strengthened parliamentary system” since.
The agenda is as follows
1-The opposition vows to reach an agreement on a new constitution, that which secures separation of powers, checks and balances.
2-A transition into a strengthened parliamentary system will be done as swiftly as the current structuring of the parliament allows.
3-During the transitional period, the coalition parties will serve in an advisory role to the president.
4-Cabinet positions will be distributed proportionally among the coalition parties in relation to the number of votes received. A minimum of one cabinet position will be allocated per party. Presidential policy board will be eliminated.
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5-Hiring and firing of cabinet ministers will jointly be agreed upon by party leaders.
6-During the transition process, the president will exercise his authority with consensus and inclusiveness.
7-Responsibilities and authority of cabinet ministers will be determined by presidential decree, in line will law and constitution.
8-The president will form a consensus with other party leaders while deciding on, special elections, state of emergency, national security policies, presidential decrees and general governance.
9-The coalition will form a judiciary system to facilitate the transition process.
10-The presidents membership to his political party will end along with the transition to the strengthened parliamentary system.
11-The president will serve out the remainder of his term without a special election upon the transition to the strengthened parliamentary system
12-Mayors of Istanbul and Ankara will serve as vice president at a time seen fit by the president.
