Opposition meets to discuss joint presidential candidate

ANKARA — Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli met yesterday following Bahçeli's suggestion that both parties name an inclusive and joint candidate for the upcoming presidential election on Aug. 10.

It was reported that no name was quoted during the meeting, but Bahçeli and Kılıçdaroğlu discussed the general principles of naming a joint candidate.

In a press meeting following the talks, Bahçeli stated that he is optimistic about nominating a joint candidate and that he talked to Kılıçdaroğlu about how they can foster a healthy procedure for the presidential election to avoid any political crisis.

"Should it be needed, talks to finalize a candidate for the presidential election may continue," said Bahçeli.
Kılıçdaroğlu also said the meeting was beneficial and effective. CHP leader noted that they only talked about general principles concerning the election.

As part of efforts to find an inclusive joint candidate, Bahçeli said in the first week of May, "The candidate that we [MHP] will nominate will be a candidate that can run the country as a whole, rather than being the MHP's candidate." He added that if other parties nominate a more inclusive candidate, the MHP can also support that candidate to stop polarization in the country.