After holding primaries in 41 provinces and 45 electoral districts to determine 362 candidates out of 550 last week, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Party Assembly held a meeting on Monday evening and completed the nomination process for the upcoming June 7 general elections by deciding the remaining 188 candidates.

Even though there is criticism in the political circles of the CHP regarding primaries, such as the participation rate of around 45 percent and the fact that most CHP voters did not attend due to a lack of enthusiasm, the overwhelming victory of candidates with an Alevi background aroused the question for some of whether the CHP is becoming a sectarian party.

According to Özge Genç, an expert from the Istanbul-based think tank Public Politics and Democracy Studies Center (PODEM), the CHP has never been a leading and democratic party in terms of representing the Alevi community in previous years, and she believes that in the upcoming elections, the party is displaying a pre-planned and cautious approach with Alevi candidates.

"The CHP has never been an advocate of the Alevi community's appeals for freedom in practicing religion. Although the CHP is perceived to be more advanced than the Justice and Development Party [AK Party] in terms of advocating for the rights of Alevis, we still are unsure of their sincerity," she said.

Academic Mustafa Altunoğlu from Anadolu University underlined that the relationship between the CHP and Alevis, and the reformation within the party became more evident following Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu becoming CHP chairman.

"It is fair to say that since the year 2010, meaning after Kılıçdaroğlu was elected chairman of the party, the power of the Alevi identity within the party has been progressively increasing. Alevis in particular have attained highly effective positions inside the CHP with the chairmanship of Kılıçdaroğlu. Because Kılıçdaroğlu was not elected as a chairman with support from the fundamental base, he was not in a strong position in the beginning," Altunoğlu said.

However, Altunoğlu stressed that the increasing effectiveness of Alevis in the CHP does not necessarily mean the party has become the party of Alevis. He claims the CHP is more than this. "The CHP is a party that strives to become the ruling party together with its nationalists, those loyal to Deniz Baykal, center-rightists, liberals and other groups included. To reaffirm, Kılıçdaroğlu has obtained a significant position in the party due to this striving to succeed in becoming a ruling party with its Alevi groups," he said.

Meanwhile, the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) is also trying to attract Alevi voters in efforts to pass the 10-percent election threshold and therefore, Alevi voting is highly significant for the HDP, especially those potential votes that could be transferred from the CHP. However, some experts believe that there will be no major changes in the preference of Alevi voters. "It is highly unlikely that Alevis would vote for the HDP. The HDP can gain support especially from Kurdish Alevis and also Arab Alevis. However, a significant number of Alevis will continue to support the CHP and it is fair to say that it would affect the HDP," Altunoğlu said.

Besides this, Genç believes that the CHP will not expend any great effort to keep Alevi voters who have already decided to vote for the HDP. "I do not expect the CHP to display a radical approach that would risk Alevi votes going to the HDP. Efforts to maintain the status quo and the fundamental ground of voters in the CHP are the best characterization of the party," she added.