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Türkiye’s main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), will hold a primary election on March 23 to select its presidential candidate.
Party officials emphasize that this process will not hinder potential alliances, as the chosen candidate will lead negotiations with other opposition parties.
CHP’s decision to hold a primary has sparked debate within the opposition, raising concerns about potential divisions and alliance-building efforts.
Speculation has grown over whether Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas might run as an independent, while Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s stance remains unclear.
Despite these uncertainties, CHP leaders argue that a democratically elected candidate will have greater legitimacy and a stronger mandate to unite the opposition.
CHP officials argue the primary is key to party unity and democratic legitimacy. “This is a necessity for democracy,” a senior party figure said. “More opposition candidates don’t necessarily split the vote. With the right nominee and strategy, we can win.”
They also emphasized that this approach will apply beyond the presidential race, influencing parliamentary and local elections to ensure candidates are selected based on broad support.
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