CHP rules out any alliance with HDP in 2019 local elections

ANKARA

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) will not forge an alliance for the March 2019 local elections, the party’s spokesperson has said, ruling out any possibility of collaboration with the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).

“An alliance is definitely not on our agenda,” CHP spokesperson Faik Öztrak said at a press conference after the party’s Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting on Sept. 3.

His comments came at a time when the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) have started voicing plans to continue their “Peoples’ Alliance” in the local elections.

MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli said his party might favor an alliance with the AKP in order to stop Turkish cities “from being controlled by parties affiliated with terrorist organizations,” accusing the HDP of being tied to the illegal PKK.

AKP deputy leader Mehmet Özhaseki also signaled an alliance with the MHP after agreeing with Bahçeli’s comments. “I share Mr. Bahçeli’s concern over the PKK’s influence,” he said.

“The CHP spokesperson said there will be no alliance. But many people associated to the CHP are saying there should be alliance with the HDP,” Özhaseki claimed on Sept. 4, saying an alliance with the HDP “would mean an alliance with the PKK.”

HDP spokesperson Ayhan Bilgen slammed the accusations in a press conference on Sept. 4, stating that none of the allegations were “taken to judicial authorities.”

“If you are so certain that there is a crime, why is there no investigation?” Bilgen said, while adding that the HDP did not intend to form an alliance either.

“But we also do not have the right to ignore the expectation of grassroots organizations,” Bilgen said, stating the party will determine its local election strategy in accordance with the demands of grassroots organizations.