CHP slams AKP-MHP alliance for upcoming elections
ANKARA
Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) officials have slammed the ruling Justice and Development (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party’s (MHP) bid to form an alliance for the upcoming elections, arguing that the move is the “AKP’s maneuver to secure Erdoğan’s presidency.”
“The alliance is the AKP’s maneuver. They make the MHP need the AKP by keeping the 10 percent election threshold,” CHP Secretary General Akif Hamzaçebi said on Feb. 19.
His comments came after the AKP and MHP agreed on a legislative package to pave the way for the pre-election alliance after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli finalized a draft prepared after a week-long negotiation of a joint commission.
Hamzaçebi stated that the MHP needs an alliance to find a seat in parliament, arguing that it would not pass the 10-percent threshold otherwise.
He said the alliance aims “to form a legal basis to allow the MHP to enter parliament.”
“But alliances do not always result in an increase in votes, sometimes there are losses,” he added.
‘MHP dissolves under AKP’
CHP Deputy Group Leader Özgür Özel also criticized MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli for his support to AKP.
“The coalition with the AKP dissolves the MHP to zero, that’s why they need an alliance,” Özel said on Feb. 19 in a press conference at parliament.
“There is a logo, but there isn’t a political party. The only thing that exists is an eagerness for a seat,” Özel said.
He also criticized the MHP leader for “being a mouthpiece of the presidential office.”
“Mr Devlet Bahçeli should be regarded as a spokesperson, partner or aide of the palace, rather than leader of the MHP,” he said.
CHP will not seek alliance
Hamzaçebi also said the main opposition would not seek any alliance “since the presidential election was in accordance with the presidential system.”
“An alliance is necessary to enter parliament. The main opposition, which aims to win the presidency, will not participate in an alliance, and will not act upon such a need,” Hamzaçebi said.
