Main opposition CHP appoints central executive board member Erdoğdu as new deputy leader

ANKARA

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has appointed its Istanbul lawmaker Aykut Erdoğdu as the party’s new deputy leader responsible for the economy in lieu of Selin Sayek Böke, who has recently resigned from her post.

“Central Executive Board [MYK] member Aykut Erdoğdu will carry out the duty as deputy leader responsible for economic policies,” the party said in a brief statement on May 15.
 
The post had been vacant after former spokesperson Böke resigned from her posts on May 6, criticizing the party cadre of failing to respond to the post-April 16 referendum effectively. 

“As a politician who believes in the universal principles of social democracy and thinks the road for Turkey to reach a libertarian democracy is through these principles, I cannot find it appropriate to be a member of the party’s existing management,” she said.
 
As Erdoğdu is set to attend the party’s MYK meeting on May 17, the party is expected to further revise its key team at the meeting.

The management is expected to revise four to five names present on the board, along with Erdoğdu. CHP’s former deputy leader Hakkı Süha Okay is also among names speculated to join the MYK.
 
Meanwhile, lawmaker Zeynep Altıok and CHP Secretary-General Kamil Okyay are among names speculated to leave the party’s key team.