Opposition leader Kılıçdaroğlu dismisses all advisors in aftermath of election defeat

The runner-up in Turkey’s May 28 presidential elections removed all advisors appointed prior to June 4. Previously all the party's executives stepped down.

İstanbul

Opposition leader Kılıçdaroğlu dismisses all advisors in aftermath of election defeat

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Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), dismissed all advisors appointed before June 4, with new names set to be announced. The runner-up in the May presidential elections had around 80 advisors.

"The duties of all people appointed by CHP Chair, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu as advisors and key advisors before 4 June 2023, have been ended as of 14 June 2023,'' Turkey's oldest party announced in a statement yesterday (June 15).

The elections on May 14 and May 28 dashed the hopes of the oppositional coalition to dethrone President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, extending his 20-year rule for another five years. Additionally, Erdoğan and his allies retained control over the parliament.

The opposition now faces the challenge of regrouping for upcoming local polls in March 2024.

In the first meeting subsequent to Kılıçdaroğlu's loss, all CHP executives resigned, while CHP İstanbul Mayor and party heavyweight Ekrem İmamoğlu recently stated that a radical change is needed within his party. (AEK/WM)