CHP's Kılıçdaroğlu says no need to worry about split with ally over candidacy

Click to read the article in Turkish

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has responded to his key ally's decision not to support his candidacy for president.

"Don't worry, everything will fall into place. We are continuing on our path," Kılıçdaroğlu said, briefly speaking to reporters outside of the parliament.

Meanwhile, Bülent Kuşoğlu, a deputy chair of the CHP, visited Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş, a member of this party whom Akşener nominated for presidency after announcig her rejection of Kılıçdaroğlu. The meeting between the two lasted for about an hour.

Earlier, Good (İYİ) Party leader Meral Akşener announced her party's decision at a press conference in Ankara.

Revealing what was discussed during yesterday's (March 2) meeting between the six opposition leaders, Akşener said the five leaders other than her backed Kılıçdaroğlu's candidacy.

Her party's opinion was that either the mayor of Ankara or İstanbul, whose popular support is higher than Kılıçdaroğlu according to polls, should have been the candidate, she said, calling on Mansur Yavaş and Ekrem İmamoğlu to announce their candidacy.

Akşener's move marks the breaking of the alliance of the six parties, leaders of which have been holding round table meetings for over a year. (ME/VK)