CHP leader says may run for president if opposition leaders agree

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), has said that he is ready to run for president if the six opposition leaders agree.

"Of course, I'm ready if there is an agreement. It is clear how the state needs to be ruled. The sixth leaders have agreed on how the state needs to be ruled," he said in response to a question during a live interview on Fox TV last night (September 4).

However, he refrained from declaring himself as the opposition's candidate as "we haven't discussed that yet."

Leaders of six opposition parties have been holding round table meetings since late February, discussing the country's transition to a parliamentary system if and when President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) lose the election.

The six leaders, however, have yet to declare a joint presidential candidate.

İmamoğlu and Yavaş

İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş, both members of the CHP, are also mentioned as possible candidates against Erdoğan.

Kılıçdaroğlu had previously implied that they would not approve of their candidacy as they were "successful" as mayors. When asked about those remarks, he said, "They need to consolidate and grow their achievements."

According to polls, however, both İmamoğlu and Yavaş seem to have a higher chance against Erdoğan. 

The next presidential and parliamentary elections are due to take place in June 2023.

Along with the CHP, the "table of the six" comprises the İYİ (Good) Party, the Democracy and Progress (DEVA) Party, the Future (Gelecek) Party, the Felicity (Saadet) Party, and the Democratic Party (DP). (VK)