Main opposition CHP’s daunting task: Nominate Imamoglu but still keep Yavas

The main opposition, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), can no longer conceal the rivalry between Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas over who will become their next presidential candidate. While the government has been pushing the narrative of an internal struggle within CHP, it is now more visible to the public even without pro-government media’s persistent coverage.

After the rivalry between two mayors dominated Türkiye‘s news cycle, CHP head Ozgur Ozel met Yavas and Imamoglu on Feb. 9 to discuss the party’s roadmap ahead of a possible early election that the main opposition party envisions.

The rivalry was apparent when CHP leader Ozel announced the party would have a primary election to select the next candidate in late January, despite the elections still being scheduled for 2028. Given this scenario, Imamoglu has a clear advantage over Yavas as his hold on the party remains strong. Therefore, it came as no surprise that he publicly supported Ozel’s initiative. He calls it a big democratic leap. However, after the trilateral meeting between Ozel, Yavas, and Imamoglu, media reports indicated that Yavas would not participate in a primary election within the CHP.

Yavas is upset as he believes it is too early to select the candidate. As a candidate with a nationalist, right-wing past, he does possess the ability to appeal to a much wider voter base than Imamoglu. A plethora of polls have indicated that Yavas maintains greater approval than Imamoglu. Yavas argues that the key to beating President Recep Tayyip Erdogan or his alliance’s next candidate is to appeal to a wider electorate.

Imamoglu vs Yavas: Ruling party is pleased with CHP’s internal fight

The ruling AK Party seems to be pleased with CHP’s internal fight and is benefitting from it as much as possible. Pro-government columnist Abdulkadir Selvi penned an article on Feb. 4 in which he said, ”CHP has started to think about how to govern Ekrem Imamoglu and Mansur Yavas instead of the country itself. CHP’s only agenda is to declare Imamoglu as the presidential candidate. However, Mansur Yavas is resisting. Yavas is against the primary elections to elect the presidential candidate.”

There is widespread expectation that the Istanbul mayor may declare his presidential candidacy if the CHP leader Ozel takes his time on the matter.

This could cause further schisms within CHP, as the party attempts to balance its internal competition within its broader goal of unseating the government in future elections.