Main opposition CHP early pre-selects Mayor Imamoglu for presidency run

Türkiye’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has wrapped up its internal preliminary pre-pre-election voting for the candidate who will represent the party in the upcoming presidential race scheduled for 2028. Despite initial speculation about other possible candidates, Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu is the only candidate to secure overwhelming support.

Following a controversial party congress, CHP decided to hold an early pre-election vote for the presidential candidate. On Feb. 21, the pre-election process officially closed with 116 out of 133 party deputies endorsing Imamoglu. Some 17 deputies refrained from supporting him. Yet to officially confirm Imamoglu, another and final selection process will occur during the CHP’s parliamentary group meeting on March 23.

Imamolgu, who had previously garnered the minimum 20 signatures needed to enter the race within the party, made his candidacy official early in the process. In his public announcement, he stated, “Today, I have taken the first step toward a new beginning by applying to be the presidential candidate of the Republican People’s Party, which I am proud to be a part of.”

He further expressed his vision for the country, highlighting the need for a democratic and strong state, a prosperous and unified nation, and equal rights for citizens. Imamoglu emphasized his commitment to parliamentary democracy, the separation of powers, and building a fair and competitive political environment.

He emphasized that the registration and nomination processes were now complete, and the official pre-election to determine the party’s presidential candidate would take place on March 23, 2025.

Gokhan Gunaydin, the deputy chairman of CHP’s Parliamentary Group, stated, “I wish this process to be beneficial for our party, and more importantly, for our democracy and our nation.”

Dursun Cicek’s candidacy falters

Despite some initial interest from former CHP Deputy Dursun Cicek, he failed to gather the necessary signatures to run. Cicek had announced his candidacy for the presidential race but, after his wife’s illness, he was unable to continue his signature collection process. Gunaydin clarified that no signatures from Cicek had been submitted to the party’s headquarters.

Cicek’s daughter, Irem Cicek, publicly expressed her support for Imamoglu, stating that her father, though initially a candidate, would back Imamoglu, who he believes deserves to win.

Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas declines to run

Although Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas had previously been considered a potential presidential candidate, he announced that he would not participate in the pre-election process.

Yavas shared his views on the matter, stating that determining the presidential candidate prematurely was not ideal, and that the method of determining a candidate should not solely rely on pre-election voting.

Final decision will be made by parliamentary group on March 23

While the official pre-election process is set for March 23, the final decision regarding the presidential candidate will ultimately lie with the CHP parliamentary group. According to the Turkish constitution, only political parties that have secured at least 5% of the national vote in the most recent general election, or that have the support of at least 100,000 voters, can officially nominate a presidential candidate.

The official candidate will be confirmed once the signatures of CHP deputies are gathered, as per the official process.

The CHP’s presidential candidate has pretty much concluded with Imamoglu as the sole nominee, yet the ultimate decision will come after the pre-election and parliamentary group discussions.