With the June 7 general elections only three months away, Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) is trying to build a new communication strategy to attract more voters. In recent weeks the CHP Deputy Chairman, who is in charge of the electoral campaign, announced that they will be working with the U.S. firm Benenson Strategy Group (BSG), which is credited for President Barack Obama's winning electoral strategies. Moreover, Turkish media outlets reported on Tuesday that advertiser Ali Taran, who is known for his innovative advertisements, will prepare the electoral advertisements of the CHP. 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 th minimum wage and reducing diesel prices to TL 1 ($0.40). According to sources, the CHP is likely to implement similar election strategies based on populist promises. Sources at CHP headquarters have said that party Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu will announce its election promises in the coming days such as a significant increase in minimum wage, reducing diesel prices to TL 1.5 and poverty wages for poor families. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) will continue to work with Erol Olçak and Arter Advertisement Agency for the upcoming elections. Olçak has been working with the AK Party since the 2002 elections and his advertisements and communication strategies have contributed considerably to the AK Party's success.
