İYİ Party’s Akşener decides to leave party leadership amid internal criticisms

ANKARA

İYİ (Good) Party Chairwoman Meral Akşener has decided not to run for the party leadership in the upcoming party convention after serious criticisms over her performance during the presidential elections, a month after twin elections whose results created frustration at her party.

“I have taken the decision to hold a convention in line with the authority pledged on me by our internal regulations. I will not be a candidate [for the leadership] in the convention. I wish success to my friends who will be nominated,” Akşener said through her Twitter account late July 22.

Akşener has taken this decision after serious discussions during the İYİ Party’s weekend camp in Afyon in which the party’s presidential and parliamentary polls’ performances have been assessed in detail.

Earlier reports suggested that Akşener announced her resignation following criticism over her policies ahead of the June 24 snap elections. However, she was later convinced to remain in her seat, reports read.

The İYİ Party had around 10 percent of votes and won 43 seats in the parliament while Akşener could garner 7.3 percent of votes in presidential race. The fact that she had less votes than her party stirred a wide discussion about her leadership in the party.

The convention is believed to be held next month although the exact date will be decided by the party’s relevant decision-making bodies.

Akşener, a former prominent figure from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), established the İYİ Party with other dissidents and entered the June 24 elections in an alliance with the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Felicity Party (SP).