An AKP-CHP coalition is out of the question

I had to write a headline that I never thought I would when two daily Hürriyet writers started a discussion about the probability of a ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) coalition. 

There is a serious risk in creating such a scenario before an election which will yield interesting results. 

Let’s assume (although I doubt it strongly) the AKP consents to a coalition, in order to remain in power. Which power could convince the CHP and its voter to consent, especially with its many women deputy candidates who are confident about winning the preliminaries and are known for their anti-AKP stances? Setting aside our “outsider” opinions, I have even spoken to CHP administrators who consider this scenario a “joke.” Even those who may have been supportive of this scenario said, “We will not discuss this. This is a rumor to block the CHP.”

'Zeroing’ which one? 

What now? In an environment where President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan continues to manage the AKP from the outside, is the CHP expected to “zero” the practices of corruption and authoritarianism to education and justice, frustrating the party’s grassroots in every field of life? I used the word “zero” on purpose because of the CHP’s current slogan “we are applauding,” representing an on-going assessment of Turkey’s current situation. They will begin the second phase of their campaign with the slogan, “Let us cancel out [zero],” on April 19. 

With this new slogan, the discussion of the setting up of a “Livable Turkey” will begin. The effective word for solving problems is “zero or cancel out.” When they say “we will cancel out,” then the strength of their argument is emphasized. 

This phase will last until April 25. To answer “How to zero,” CHP head Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu will hold meetings with sectors, rather than organizing rallies. He will meet with the tourism sector in Antalya and the next day, he will meet with agriculture and citrus growers, then moving on to the youth, sports and education sectors. 

Kılıçdaroğlu, with similar aims, will meet with EU ambassadors on April 16 in Latvia. He will say, “The EU is our priority. There will be other steps; this meeting will not suffice.”

Already at 30 percent 

Kılıçdaroğlu will return to town square rallies after April 25. Two thirds of the discussion will be focused on, “How will Turkey and its issues be managed? How will they be ‘zeroed’?” The remainder of the time will be used to remind the voters of corruption, foreign policy, conspiracies against the army, the weakening of state institutions, the Public Personnel Selection Examination (KPSS) scandal and how the country’s current state came to be.

According to CHP administrators, leaving aside June 8, they have never planned and organized so much before; they have even worked out the next four years. They say they accomplish a significant achievement every month. 

So much so that preliminaries, the two retirement bonuses pledges and a film about Kılıçdaroğlu’s life have added 1.7 points to the CHP in the past month. 

For the first time, the CHP has reached 30 percent and eyes are now turning to the undecided 9 percent who have “no problem with Atatürk and secularism and who want their country to be peaceful and friendly with the world.” Hopes are high. 

Moreover, they claim the share coming from this 9 percent will have a very interesting effect on the number of deputies. 

Well, what do you think about this claim? 

The government’s question regarding “How will Kılıçdaroğlu find the money?” has had only a positive effect on CHP-leaning voters; they consider the question unjust and regard Kılıçdaroğlu as the only leader with an economic background.