Turkish opposition scrambles to unite against Erdogan

ANKARA: Turkey’s usually divided opposition parties are trying to unite to maximize their chances of defeating President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after his surprise decision to hold early elections. Erdogan last week rocked the world of Turkish politics when he said there would be parliamentary and presidential polls on June 24, 2018, more than a year before the expected date of November 3, 2019.

For the opposition, which was initially stumped by the announcement, these elections are a last chance to stop what they describe as Erdogan’s authoritarianism. Following an intense referendum campaign in April 2017, Turks approved by a narrow margin changing Turkey’s parliamentary system into an executive presidency giving the head of state expanded powers. The government insists the changes will ensure political stability, but opponents say it will lead to one-man rule. Less than a week after the early polls announcement, opposition parties began intense talks to figure out a strategy to stop Erdogan.

In a surprise move of solidarity, the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) helped the newest right-wing Iyi (“Good”) Party at the weekend, boosting its numbers to form a parliamentary group and thereby allowed to run in the polls. “What we have done is a contribution to democracy, not just the Good Party,” CHP chief Kemal Kilicdaroglu said after the two parties’ met again on Wednesday. With the opposition targeting Erdogan, rumors are rife over who could run against him. There has been fevered speculation that former president and co-founder of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Abdullah Gul might become a unity candidate-though he has made no public comment on the rumors.