Erdoğan confirms himself as presidential candidate

Photo: AA

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President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has confirmed himself as the presidential candidate of the People's Alliance of the AKP and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

Speaking at the AKP's advisory council meeting in İzmir, he also called on main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu to announce his candidacy.

He claimed that Kılıçdaroğlu seeks the presidency but refrains from openly declaring himself the candidate.

"This person is now after the presidency. But, instead of doing this like a man, he is trying to do this in a roundabout way, in accordance with his character.

"You keep saying, 'The election date should be determined first.' Okay, I'm saying, the election will take place in mid-June next year. You have no place to hide. The candidate of the People's Alliance is Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. If you have courage, announce your candidacy, or announce your candidate." (AS/VK)