Candidate knot: Tensions between top CHP figures allegedly slowing nominations

İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu (left) and CHP Chair Özgür Özel (center) pictured Friday at the former’s re-election campaign launch. © CHP

ANKARA – After the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) announced its candidates for the March 31 local elections in 26 cities, including İstanbul, all eyes turned to the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and its candidates. 

Out the 11 metropolitan municipalities currently held by CHP, just two candidates have so far been confirmed: incumbent Mayors Ekrem İmamoğlu in İstanbul and Mansur Yavaş in Ankara.

According to the information obtained by Turkey recap, four more CHP metropolitan candidates are expected to be revealed today (Jan. 10, 2024).

The re-nominations have been finalized for incumbent CHP Mayors Özlem Çerçioğlu, Zeydan Karalar, Vahap Seçer and Lütfü Savaş, respectively, in Aydın, Adana, Mersin, and Hatay. 

And while the CHP candidate for Tekirdağ may also soon be revealed today, party officials continue to coordinate on nominations for the remaining four CHP-held cities.

Yet ahead of today’s CHP assembly meeting, party sources claim the nomination process has been marked by tension between İmamoğlu and CHP Chair Özgür Özel, as the two reportedly could not agree on the candidates for İzmir and Antalya.