Main opposition CHP grassroots in protest over new municipal candidates

ANKARA

Members of the Çankaya district organization held protests in front of party headquarters. AA Photo

The dust does not appear likely to settle soon for the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), whose choices for candidates in the upcoming local elections continue to draw ire from the grassroots, also leading to resignations from the party.

Members of the Çankaya district organization held protests in front of party headquarters on Feb. 12.
Anadolu Agency quoted Engin Balım from the protesting group as saying that the party grassroots were divided and disappointed. “There are no civil servants, laborers, nor the children of any villagers among the candidates,” Balım said.

Çiğli municipality CHP council member Önder Özdemir, along with a group of party members, announced a possible hunger strike in İzmir in protest at the candidates.

“We plan to turn our protests into hunger strikes if the central executive board does not make the relevant decision,” Özdemir told reporters.

Ten current CHP mayors in İzmir province, who were not nominated as candidates, released a joint statement claiming that they were “humiliated” and complaining that the choice made it “seem like they were unsuccessful.”

Three CHP mayors in İzmir, Kınık Mayor Süleyman Kaya, Menderes Mayor Ergun Özgün and Dikili Deputy Mayor Yusuf Altıparmak have resigned from the party.