Main opposition faces ongoing uncertainty over presidential candidate

Amid Türkiye’s growing economic challenges, the main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), continues to call for early elections. However, the party has yet to announce its presidential candidate.

According to the Constitution, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cannot run for another term if elections are held on schedule. However, if the CHP’s call for early elections is accepted, Erdogan could be a candidate. Recently, CHP leader Ozgur Ozel stated that they want Erdogan to run and that they will defeat him.

The question of who will be the CHP’s presidential candidate in the event of early elections remains unclear. Rumors suggest that potential candidates are competing behind the scenes. The key question remains: Who will be the CHP’s presidential candidate?

Favorite candidates: Imamoglu and Yavas

The two candidates most frequently mentioned within CHP are Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas. CHP voters expressed that the loss in the last election was due to Kemal Kilicdaroglu’s candidacy instead of Imamoglu or Yavas.

Furthermore, there are claims that Imamoglu and Yavas are competing against each other through social media trolls. Public opinion researcher Mehmet Ali Kulat suggests that Yavas could run as an independent candidate by collecting 100,000 signatures even if CHP does not nominate him.

There are also discussions that if Imamoglu cannot run or if the election is lost, he might contest for the CHP leadership. Another rumor suggests that Imamoglu might establish his own party.

It is noted that Imamoglu and Yavas are the two individuals who could potentially defeat President Erdogan. If Yavas runs, he might attract votes from nationalist groups who do not usually vote for CHP, while Imamoglu could gain high vote rates in Erdogan’s stronghold, the Black Sea region.

Will Ozgur Ozel be a candidate?

Ozgur Ozel has stated that he is not running by saying he is a good coach and will choose the best striker.

However, former CHP leader Kilicdaroglu ran for the presidency despite similar statements in the past.

Ozel’s close associates argue that CHP’s leader should be the candidate against the AK Party leader.

There is a possibility that Ozel might be the CHP candidate. However, if Ozel runs and loses, he might also face dismissal from the leadership.

Kilicdaroglu seeks another chance

Kilicdaroglu, after announcing his continued involvement in active politics, has intensified discussions with CHP lawmakers close to him.

It is known that Kilicdaroglu is seeking ways to return to CHP leadership and aims to be a presidential candidate in the next election.

Additionally, there are rumors that Kilicdaroglu is trying to gain support from the opposition DEM Party and that he could be a joint candidate with the DEM Party’s opponents.

Will Muharrem Ince return?

Former CHP MP and leader of the Homeland Party, Muharrem Ince, has slowed down his party’s activities. It is said that Ince is seeking ways to return to CHP and aims to be its presidential candidate again.

However, it is noted that Ince’s candidacy is unlikely. The main rumor about Ince is that he might return to CHP to run as a general presidential candidate against Ozgur Ozel if a losing election occurs.