Turkiye's CHP launches massive no-confidence campaign against Erdogan
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The CHP intends to collect signatures by going door-to-door in a massive no-confidence campaign against President Erdogan.
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Republican People's Party or (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel delivers a speech, during a CHP convention, in Ankara, Sunday, April 6, 2025 (AP)
The leader of Turkiye’s main opposition, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Ozgur Ozel, announced on Sunday the launch of a major signature campaign to "express no confidence" in President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and demand early presidential elections.
The announcement came as the CHP convened its 21st extraordinary congress on Sunday at the Yenimahalle Nazım Hikmet Cultural Center in Ankara. During the gathering, 1,323 registered delegates are set to vote to elect a new party leader, with Ozel among the contenders.
"Starting literally on Monday, we will begin collecting signatures door-to-door, on every street across our country, to show Erdogan the largest vote of no confidence … We are ready for [a snap presidential] election as early as June. If not June, we are ready for the first half of November—step forward and compete with our candidate," Ozel declared in his speech, indirectly challenging Erdogan.
Currently, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoglu, who is under arrest, is the only prominent figure from the CHP seen as a potential presidential contender, who is regarded as the main rival to Erdogan if he seeks re-election.
In March, Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunç stated that Erdogan could legally run for a third term if early elections are approved by the parliament.
A total of 360 parliamentary votes are needed to initiate snap elections. At present, the CHP holds 127 seats, while the ruling alliance between the Justice and Development Party and the Nationalist Movement Party controls 315.
Erdogan is isolating Turkiye from EU, Opposition leader says
Just yesterday, Ozel warned that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is actively driving the country further from its European partners, both politically and diplomatically.
In a video published by Turkish broadcaster Haberturk on social media platform X, CHP chair Ozgur Ozel voiced concern over recent diplomatic cancellations tied to the growing unrest within Turkey.
"I say this with regret: the visits of a number of members of the European Parliament to Turkey in April were canceled [following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor], the meetings of European officials with the Turkish Foreign Minister [Hakan Fidan] at the upcoming Antalya Diplomacy Forum were canceled. I am dismayed by this. Erdogan's policy is distancing Turkey from Europe, from the democratic league," he said.
