As Turkey's June 7 general election approaches, Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) will reveal the details of its election campaign on March 28. The Central Executive Committee of the CHP met late Monday to discuss the party's election campaign as well as other current issues on the party's agenda. According to the statement made from the party headquarters, election slogans, songs and all other details about their election strategy will be announced on March 28.
The CHP administration has already announced that in the upcoming elections, they are going to work with the U.S. firm Benenson Strategy Group (BSG), which is known for its work during President Barack Obama's winning electoral campaigns, and Turkish advertiser Ali Taran, who is known for his innovative advertisements.
Taran gained fame when he ran the Young Party's electoral campaign in the 2002 general elections, in which the Young Party won 7.2 percent of the vote. Taran attracted crowds to Young Party rallies with free food and a free concert, and built his election campaign on populist promises such as doubling the minimum wage and reducing diesel prices to TL1.0 ($0.40).
According to sources, the CHP is likely to implement similar election strategies based on populist promises. Sources at the CHP headquarters have said that Party Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu will announce its election promises in the coming days, such as a significant increase in the minimum wage, reducing diesel prices to TL 1.5 and poverty wages for poor families.
Moreover, in the election campaign the CHP is expected to emphasize the suitability of the parliamentary system, as they oppose the proposed presidential system. The main opposition party is also expected to announce new reforms to expand freedom at their launch event on March 28.
