Nationalist party begins search for presidential candidate

ANKARA

Bahçeli will visit former President Süleyman Demirel May 16 and Ahmet Necdet Sezer on May 20. AA Photo

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli will begin talks to nominate a joint candidate for presidency, first by meeting former presidents, deputy party chair Semih Yalçın has said.

Bahçeli will visit former President Süleyman Demirel on May 16 and Ahmet Necdet Sezer on May 20, and ask their opinions and exchange views, Yalçın said in a written statement May 15.

The presidency should not be under the control of any ideology, coterie or group of interest, he said, noting that the candidate should pursue the rights of the entire Turkish nation.

Bahçeli earlier suggested the opposition should unite behind one candidate in the presidential election in August to stop the ruling party’s candidate.

He said he would talk to the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), as well as the Felicity Party (Saadet Partisi) and the Great Union Party (BBP).

“If not sufficient, I’ll also go to various faith groups, including the Alevis, to ask those willing to contribute. I will not leave any doors unknocked. I will tell them, ‘The candidate we propose is not the MHP’s candidate, but the president who can rule the country. It’s the first time that the president is being elected through popular vote. There should be no partisan outlook to that. Let’s get someone whose common ground is larger,’” he said.