CHP: Loser is quest for true democracy

ISTANBUL

Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu claims he is successful after getting almost 40 percent, dedicating the result to those who say ‘he is not known.’ AA photo

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), whose candidate Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, nominated with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), did not win in the presidential election, has severely criticized Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s polarizing discourse which he resorted during his campaign.

İhsanoğlu argued he actually had success by receiving around 40 percent of the vote, saying he dedicates his performance to those who said “he is not known” a month ago.

CHP spokesperson Haluk Koç said: “We thank Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, who won everybody’s heart whether they voted for him or not.”

“Another thank-you goes to Mr. Selahattin Demirtaş,” the CHP executive, surprisingly said, praising him “for his style along this process, despite all efforts to create tension.” Yet he added: “The losers in this election are not İhsanoğlu and Demirtaş. The real loser is the longing for clear and honest politics and the quest for true democracy.”

“One candidate resorted to a language based on all kinds of religious and sectarian polarization, as well as hatred during rallies,” Koç said, in an apparent reference to Erdoğan.