Erdoğan talks campaign details with BBP chair

ANKARA

Turkish President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with the chairman of the Great Union Party (BBP) Mustafa Destici to discuss the details of their campaign for the parliamentary and presidential elections to be held on June 24.

The BBP, an ultra-nationalist political party with no remarkable effect on polls, will run in the twin elections as the smallest partner of the “People’s Alliance” formed by the AKP and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

“We have devaluated how an effective campaign could be carried out in the coming period,” Erdoğan told reporters after the meeting on May 10 at the BBP’s headquarters. “We will exert all the efforts for a successful campaign,” he said, recalling his satisfaction with the ongoing unity and solidarity between the components of the alliance.

On a question, Erdoğan said a joint election could take place with the participation of two other parties of the alliance but added that there was no event scheduled so far.

For his part, Destici reiterated that Erdoğan stands as the sole presidential nominee of the People’s Alliance with his belief that the parties in the alliance will have maximum representation at the parliament as well.

“We, the BBP, have never wanted to join the alliance for pragmatic reasons,” Destici said.

“Aside from elections, we have had the chance to evaluate all issues on our agenda,” he said.

The agreement between the AKP and the BBP stipulates a certain number of lawmakers in the parliament who will run from the ruling party’s lists as the minor party will not institutionally take place within the People’s Alliance.

“I cannot tell you how many of our lawmakers will run for parliament,” Destici said.

“This work will be finalized early next week. We are here with our good will and we have never been in negotiations. We have no doubt he [Erdoğan] will be generous to us,” he said.

Echoing Erdoğan, the BBP chair also said a joint rally would be held but first details need to be agreed on before any event is announced.