A new front opens in the debates over İzmir

Aziz Kocaoğlu announcing he will not run as candidate for mayor is set to open a new phase for İzmir, the country’s third largest province.

Now get prepared, because you will hear many names.

In fact, those who thought that Kocaoğlu would not put forth his candidacy were already testing the waters for some time.

I will not name names. But the number will be much higher than you think.

Kocaoğlu, however, was the main opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) strongest name.

Some thought that had he said “I am in the race and I am a candidate,” the final decision was going to be made by the party’s headquarters.

I, however, think that even though he said he will not run, the headquarters has not taken his name off the table.

Not that I heard anything. Still, what I have been observing is making me say this. What will the CHP do?

Obviously, they will make a list of potential candidates.

Those who are more preferred by the headquarters will be placed at the top of the list.

The party’s report as well as public opinion polls will be debated. And then the final decision will be made by CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.

This will be a difficult decision to make.

We know how important İzmir is for the CHP.

Kılıçdaroğlu’s decision and the result on election night are important to the degree that they might affect his own fate and future in politics.

Therefore, I believe that Kocaoğlu’s name will be on the agenda until the very last minute.

Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) officials used to think Kocaoğlu would continue for one more term. Maybe they wished that would be the case.

But I think the AKP will announce its candidate early December the latest, without waiting to see who the CHP’s candidate will be.

They seem to be after some very prominent names for the candidacies of İzmir’s districts.

They want to make a list from certain names who are interested yet who have not until now entered politics.

The issue of the alliance

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli is insisting on an alliance for the local elections.

The officials of the AKP are more cautious.

The other day, Bahçeli said that apart from Istanbul, the MHP will have a candidate for each city and province.

Does that mean the alliance he has in mind will only be for Istanbul? If this is the case, can we call this an alliance?

I still believe the MHP is seeking cooperation for places other than Istanbul because it wants to keep certain provinces where the mayor is from the MHP.

But it fears that the AKP could also be successful in these places.

It will be a difficult issue for the two parties to find a common ground.

Will Kocaoğlu propose some names?

Let me finish with Kocaoğlu.

There are rumors that Kocaoğlu is proposing a name to replace his seat. But I don’t think this is true.

The Kocaoğlu I know will not do that — at least not now.

Let me repeat that if the CHP carries out a public opinion poll for İzmir, they should include Kocaoğlu in the list.