Meral Akşener in the lose-lose trap

The tug of war between the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Good Party continues over the selection of a presidential candidate. My sense is that the latter faces a “lose-lose” situation.

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Meral Akşener in the lose-lose trap
Compulsion of Turkish opposition to nominate multiple candidates

Compulsion of Turkish opposition to nominate multiple candidates

Distribution of parliamentary seats could encourage various players to work closer together, and the opposition fielding multiple candidates would actually benefit the People’s Alliance

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The organizers of the gatherings in Istanbul's Saraçhane tapped into President Erdoğan’s past experiences, including his 1998 ban from politics and subsequent struggle, to write 'the Imamoğlu story,' but the real question is: Can Imamoğlu write his own story?

A Turkish court sentenced Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu to two years and seven months in prison for insulting members of the Supreme Electoral Board. The ruling won’t be final unless the second instance court and the Supreme Court of Appeals uphold it. Since either court could disagree with the verdict, Imamoğlu’s prison sentence and ban from politics are not in effect.

The presentations could not clarify how the CHP leadership intended to bridge the gap between neoliberal policies and popular recommendations, and amounted to fragmented peeks into its vision. In other words, it seemed like 'a cocktail'

CHP head Kılıçdaroğlu revealed the main opposition’s development plan. Ahead of that announcement, he raised expectations by claiming that he would 'unveil a vision to end the crisis forever'

Turkish opposition’s coalition obsession seen in both proposals

The 'table for six' made a proposal that threatens to create a fragmented system of political parties, fuel conflict within the executive branch, start a tug-of-war between the executive and legislative branches, and usher in a period of coalition governments

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Turkish opposition s coalition obsession seen in both proposals
The two chessboards of the Turkish opposition

The two chessboards of the Turkish opposition

The actual game of chess is being played by Kılıçdaroğlu and Akşener and relates to the selection of a joint presidential candidate

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'As the government prepares to take additional steps as part of its positive agenda, much more will be said about the opposition’s delayed unveiling of its program – the Republic’s future – not to mention its continued inability to endorse a joint presidential candidate'

The perception of Erdoğan as a leader to guide Türkiye in an increasingly uncertain world has come to be shared even by the opposition as attempts by Kılıçdaroğlu to dictate the political agenda have been backfiring

The pressure keeps mounting on Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) chairperson, with just seven months left until next year’s elections in Türkiye.

President Erdoğan took a major step at a ceremony for the opening of four cemevis and the groundbreaking for seven others on Friday. He announced that the Presidency for Culture and Cemevis will be established at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the leaders of the Alevi-Bektashi faith will be offered permanent positions there if they desire.

'The 2023 election campaign is likely to keep surprising everyone. As the 'Century of Türkiye' begins, it seems that no issue will be left unaddressed on the campaign trail'

Under the circumstances, the opposition bloc has no choice but to settle all three disputes successfully.

The elections in Türkiye will coincide with the Republic’s centennial represents a theme that the various political parties and candidates will use on the campaign trail.

'If the opposition were to win the 2023 elections, what will be the center of gravity in Turkish politics? Will the country’s political arena be organized around the CHP and the HDP or the CHP and the Good Party?'

'There is no politician in the opposition that could counterbalance that great advantage which Erdoğan enjoys'

In truth, the question at hand goes beyond that. This is about who would make crucial political decisions (and how) if the opposition bloc were to win next year’s elections.

As Türkiye started to attract attention with its international relations and foreign policy, it also expanded its military presence to different states and redefined its relations with the West

As the 2023 elections approach, voters are being influenced by three different emotions: concern, anger and hope

Two unfortunate statements from the opposition cast a dark shadow on its idea of the 'new Türkiye'