As tensions continue to increase in the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), senior opposition figures within the party have reportedly said that they have already received 500 signatures of support to hold an extraordinary congress. The CHP opposition group further indicated that it is near to reaching enough signatures of support – 595 – and will submit the signatures to headquarters on Monday. Along with the discussion calling for an extraordinary congress, three deputies have already announced their candidacies to challenge current Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.
Reportedly, two other former deputies have joined the discussions and indicated that a former deputy has gained 55 signatures in favor of the extraordinary congress while another has gained 60 signatures opposing the extraordinary congress. Despite candidates hoping to run against Kılıçdaroğlu for the leadership post, it is believed that the signatures are being obtained in an effort to make Kılıçdaroğlu confront the party delegation and explain his repeated election failures. The opposition group in the CHP claims that enough votes will be found by either Monday or Tuesday.
Yalova Deputy Muharrem İnce has recently criticized Kılıçdaroğlu for his unsuccessful chairmanship and claimed that Kılıçdaroğlu has lost credibility. In response to İnce's remarks, CHP Deputy Chairman Mehmet Bekaroğlu claimed that according to public surveys, 37 percent of people see Kılıçdaroğlu favorably. The CHP is expected to hold a party congress in January. In order to be elected party leader, a candidate must win an absolute majority from 1,218 delegate votes.
