Unrealistic claims, clumsy observances of the Turkish opposition

A poll from a public opinion research company close to the opposition was published, showing that the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has once again become the leading party. This research firm has been showing the Republican People's Party (CHP) as the leading party every month since the local elections. However, when the AK Party emerged as the top party in its latest monthly poll, the opposition’s public opinion shapers were infuriated, claiming the poll results did not reflect reality.

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Unrealistic claims clumsy observances of the Turkish opposition
A language of insults

A language of insults

Adeep power struggle continues between factions within Türkiye’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). Teams close to Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the former leader of the CHP, do not want to be left behind. The intense internal fight has now shifted its focus to "who is better at opposing."

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A bitter argument erupted between the former chairperson of the Republican People's Party (CHP), Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, and a journalist, escalating into severe insults. In response to the journalist who called him "a puppet of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), a traitor," Kılıçdaroğlu retorted, "I took this party from the hands of lowlifes like you, who try to steer my party while holding whiskey glasses, and made it the People’s Party."

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) member of Parliament and former Ambassador Namık Tan said the following in his speech at the Turkish Grand National Assembly: “At times, they dreamt of reviving the Ottoman Empire. They didn't settle for cross-border operations. They ventured into overseas adventures. At one point, they clung to the Blue Homeland fantasy, but fortunately, they quickly backed away when the economy's collapse was imminent.”

Recent developments have brought the ongoing discussions on normalizing Türkiye-Syria relations back to the forefront. Following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy, Alexander Lavrentiev, Syrian leader Bashar Assad, according to the Syrian News Agency, stated, “Syria is open to all initiatives for Syria-Türkiye relations based on its sovereignty over the entire territory of the country and the fight against terrorism and terrorist organizations.” Similarly, the Syrian News Agency quoted Lavrentiev as saying that Russia supports all initiatives for Syria-Türkiye relations, adding: “We see that the conditions for successful mediation are more favorable than ever. Russia is ready to work to advance the negotiations. The goal is to succeed in restoring relations between Syria and Türkiye.”

Türkiye’s political parties are going through a process of change. The two most recent elections hammered home the point that change needs to happen for political parties to address society’s demands. Change is the never-changing rule of life. The most important question relates to where, to what extent and with which stakeholders change should take place. Again, the debate over détente, normalization and constitutional reform highlights how and under which conditions political parties will undergo change. Since the "new constitution" debate will bring up various issues like identity, the political system and national security, political parties must not fail to revisit society’s everyday problems and long-standing issues.

Role reversal: Changing dynamics of CHP and Good Party

A series of meetings between the leaders of Türkiye’s major political parties steered the national conversation in recent weeks, creating an opportunity to breathe new life into Turkish politics. Such reactivation would entail a heated debate on a broad range of issues related to Türkiye’s present condition and future.

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Role reversal Changing dynamics of CHP and Good Party
Kılıçdaroğlu's legacy Özel's challenge

Kılıçdaroğlu's legacy, Özel's challenge

Most of them are worried that CHP, which recently replaced its leader, could experience internal turmoil. Others disagree with the current Chairperson's decision to abandon polarization and harsh statements, fearing that the opposition bloc, which has been feeding off anti-Erdoğanism, will weaken. The former CHP Chairperson's remarks –“One does not negotiate with the Palace but merely fights it”– was a case in point.

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Speaking to reporters after last week’s Friday prayer, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan commented on his meeting with Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chairperson Özgür Özel, adding that he intended to visit the CHP headquarters soon: “This is what Türkiye and Turkish politics need. I wish to start a process of political softening in Türkiye by making that visit happen at the earliest convenience. We will take that step.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with the Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chairperson Özgür Özel on Thursday. The meeting, which lasted just over 1.5 hours, marked the beginning of a new political process in Türkiye. The Republicans reportedly viewed the meeting as “positive,” and the Turkish media reported that Erdoğan would visit the CHP headquarters in the future.

The Good Party (IP) held an emergency congress on Sunday to replace its chairperson, Meral Akşener, with Müsavat Dervişoğlu.

Since taking over as chairperson of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Özgür Özel has notably distanced himself from his "polemicist" style of his tenure as minority whip. Many wonder why the new Republican leader, who adopted this approach prior to the March 31 municipal elections and remained committed to it thereafter, is doing what he is doing and how long he intends to do it.

The Republican People's Party's (CHP) current and previous leaders are fighting over the kind of politics that the movement should embrace in the future.

As Türkiye’s political parties and leaders analyze the municipal election results, it remains unclear what Turkish politics will look like in this new period. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan paid due respect to the people’s choice on election night, making an inclusive statement that encouraged the opposition to speak responsibly.

All political parties need to interpret the outcome of the March 31 municipal elections accurately.

The framework for the Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) “bold self-criticism” regarding the municipal election has become clear. Describing March 31 as a turning point, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reportedly spoke at the party’s Central Executive Committee (MYK) meeting on Tuesday. At that meeting, he stressed that a significant number of voters, who voted for the AK Party in May 2023, did not participate in Sunday’s election.