 Former prime minister Mesut Yılmaz is seen during a Parliament session. |
Turkey’s main opposition is preparing to add several high-profile figures from other political parties to its ranks as it seeks to gain votes from the left and the center right, daily Habertürk reported Friday.
The rumored new additions to the Republican People’s Party, or CHP, include former right-wing Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz, former Democratic Left Party, or DSP, leader Zeki Sezer, pro-Kurdish politician Feridün Yazar, and Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions, or DİSK, head Süleyman Çelebi.
Some of those rumored to be joining the party – especially Yılmaz – have reportedly caused arguments within the party. Many, however, admit that the former prime minister will improve the party’s poor electoral showings in his native eastern Black Sea region.
But a prominent member of the party speaking to Habertürk on condition of anonymity said Yılmaz’s influence extended beyond the Black Sea as far as Istanbul. Yılmaz resigned from the Democrat Party, or DP, on Wednesday.
Sezer, who sacrificed himself during the 2007 electoral alliance between his party and the CHP by withdrawing as a candidate for parliamentary deputy, is almost certainly expected to receive an invitation to join the party.
The CHP has also reportedly set its sights on Yazar as a Şanlıurfa deputy in an effort to win over parts of eastern and southeastern regions.
Another surprise name is Çelebi, who has supported CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu since his appointment and who will reportedly help the party win votes from the left.
It is also rumored that Kılıçdaroğlu is set to make an offer to Eskişehir Mayor Yılmaz Büyükerşen of the DSP during his visit to Eskişehir on Sunday.
Antalya deputy resigns from Turkey's ruling party
Meanwhile, a parliamentary deputy from Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, in Antalya tendered his resignation from the party Friday.
Yusuf Ziya İrbeç told a press conference at Parliament that he was quitting the party because of its “democratic initiative steps” taken by the government to resolve the country's Kurdish issue and because of its efforts to change the Constitution.
“The scars inflicted on the hearts of our nation by the [Kurdish] initiative, with such incidents as Habur, are known to all," İrbeç said. "I am concerned that these scars will be deepened and will damage our national unity with the constitutional reforms slated to take place after the coming elections.”
The main reason for his concerns, according İrbeç, is “the prime minister, who uses expressions to divide the country in every speech.”
“My meetings, talks and warnings yielded no results,” he said, adding that there were other deputies carrying the same concerns.
With his resignation, İrbeç becomes an independent deputy, decreasing the number of AKP deputies in Parliament to 334.
While İrbeç said he had yet to decide whether he would join another party, there are claims that he may join the opposition Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP.
The rumored new additions to the Republican People’s Party, or CHP, include former right-wing Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz, former Democratic Left Party, or DSP, leader Zeki Sezer, pro-Kurdish politician Feridün Yazar, and Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions, or DİSK, head Süleyman Çelebi.
Some of those rumored to be joining the party – especially Yılmaz – have reportedly caused arguments within the party. Many, however, admit that the former prime minister will improve the party’s poor electoral showings in his native eastern Black Sea region.
But a prominent member of the party speaking to Habertürk on condition of anonymity said Yılmaz’s influence extended beyond the Black Sea as far as Istanbul. Yılmaz resigned from the Democrat Party, or DP, on Wednesday.
Sezer, who sacrificed himself during the 2007 electoral alliance between his party and the CHP by withdrawing as a candidate for parliamentary deputy, is almost certainly expected to receive an invitation to join the party.
The CHP has also reportedly set its sights on Yazar as a Şanlıurfa deputy in an effort to win over parts of eastern and southeastern regions.
Another surprise name is Çelebi, who has supported CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu since his appointment and who will reportedly help the party win votes from the left.
It is also rumored that Kılıçdaroğlu is set to make an offer to Eskişehir Mayor Yılmaz Büyükerşen of the DSP during his visit to Eskişehir on Sunday.
Antalya deputy resigns from Turkey's ruling party
Meanwhile, a parliamentary deputy from Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, in Antalya tendered his resignation from the party Friday.
Yusuf Ziya İrbeç told a press conference at Parliament that he was quitting the party because of its “democratic initiative steps” taken by the government to resolve the country's Kurdish issue and because of its efforts to change the Constitution.
“The scars inflicted on the hearts of our nation by the [Kurdish] initiative, with such incidents as Habur, are known to all," İrbeç said. "I am concerned that these scars will be deepened and will damage our national unity with the constitutional reforms slated to take place after the coming elections.”
The main reason for his concerns, according İrbeç, is “the prime minister, who uses expressions to divide the country in every speech.”
“My meetings, talks and warnings yielded no results,” he said, adding that there were other deputies carrying the same concerns.
With his resignation, İrbeç becomes an independent deputy, decreasing the number of AKP deputies in Parliament to 334.
While İrbeç said he had yet to decide whether he would join another party, there are claims that he may join the opposition Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP.
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