Main opposition won’t rule out narrowed constituency system

ANKARA

CHP head Kılıçdaroğlu said his party would consider the proposal in terms of democracy. AA Photo

The main opposition has left the door open for the government’s plans to amend the election law and implement a narrowed constituency system on the condition that it actually strengthen democracy.

“However, we will naturally object if the legislation paves the way for the dominance of a party, instead of strengthening our democracy,” Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said yesterday in an interview with Radyo Avrasya.

“We have to see [the proposal] first. Maybe they will propose a good model. We are not prejudiced,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.

Kılıçdaroğlu said his party would consider the proposal in terms of democracy.

Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has prepared a draft bill on a new electoral system based on narrowed constituencies, which is expected to allow the party increase the number of its lawmakers by 25.

Turkey currently uses the proportional electoral system where each of the parties wins a percentage of seats that is equal to the percentage of votes in each province. Because of their size, Istanbul is divided into three constituencies and Ankara into two.

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the CHP increased their votes in local elections, but the AKP’s votes were reduced, according to Kılıçdaroğlu.

Despite this picture, the ruling party suggested that they were successful in the elections.

In the upcoming general elections, the AKP will lose its majority in Parliament if Turkey continues with the current election law, CHP leader said.

Kılıçdaroğlu suggested that the AKP was already aware of this danger and was seeking a new election model in order to keep its majority in Parliament.

Elaborating on the presidential elections, Kılıçdaroğlu said the Turkish people would be more careful in electing their new president and would seek a candidate who is not “dirty.”