CHP seeking way out of holding primaries before snap vote

ANKARA

DHA Photo

The Republican People’s Party (CHP) has begun reviewing its options after the Supreme Election Board (YSK) suggested Sept. 8 in its election calendar draft as a possible date for CHP primaries. Turkey is expected to hold an early parliamentary election on Nov. 1, in line with an earlier proposal by the YSK.

The issue will be discussed during a party assembly meeting to be chaired by CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu on Aug. 23.

The CHP held primaries in 56 electoral districts ahead of the June 7 election, nominating 362 of its candidates for the 550-seat parliament through primaries, 35 candidates through a quota, and the rest according to decisions by the party’s headquarters and provincial branches, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Aug. 21.

CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu had run for internal elections in the second district of İzmir, where he ranked second after reserving the first place for a woman candidate. 

As the time-scale is limited before the new election, the CHP’s initial idea is to avoid primaries through an amendment to be initiated in parliament. However, this option seems highly improbable due to limited calendar ahead. As there is also only a limited time for changing its internal regulations, the CHP will likely have to once again conduct primaries. 

Kılıçdaroğlu’s support for holding primaries is considered as a sign that the vast majority of members of the CHP’s Central Executive Board (MYK) will have to run again in primary elections, Anadolu Agency reported.
 
As for deputy chairs of the party such as Selin Sayek Böke, Ercan Karakaş, Sezgin Tanrıkulu and Murat Özçelik, Kılıçdaroğlu is expected to use his quota nomination right. He may also take the initiative to use his right of quota to nominate more deputies in order to preserve his “A Team,” it was reported. The names in question could be nominated from cities other than metropolitan cities like Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, where the CHP has strong grassroots.

However, considering the short timescale ahead of the new election, the CHP may still ask the YSK to postpone the date of the primaries, Anadolu Agency reported.