In a series of developments that have marked a further division within the Turkish opposition, two major parties have announced their intentions to contest the upcoming local elections independently. The nationalist Good Party (İYİP), under Meral Akşener, decisively voted on Monday against forming a coalition with the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), with 35 votes against and 14 in favour, signalling a clear ‘no’ to the coalition proposal.
Adding to the opposition’s fragmented stance, the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (HEDEP) earlier on Monday had also declared its intention to run independently in the elections. This decision represented a strategic choice by the party, rather than a response to a coalition proposal. The HEDEP’s standalone stance is particularly significant given its recent role as a kingmaker in Turkish politics, often swaying the balance with its Kurdish votes.
CHP leader Özgür Özel, responding to İYİP’s decision, expressed respect for the democratic process and readiness to move forward. This acknowledges the changing dynamics within the opposition as parties delineate their strategies ahead of the local elections.
