Turkey's main opposition leader may run for president

Leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Kemal Kilicdaroglu speaks during his party’s group meeting at the Turkish Grand National Assembly, in Ankara, Turkey on 2 March 2021. [Muhammed Selim Korkutata – Anadolu Agency]

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), maybe a candidate in Turkey’s 2023 presidential election, an opposition politician said on Wednesday, Anadolu reports.

“Kemal Kilicdaroglu may consider becoming a presidential candidate. There is no harm there,” Meral Aksener, leader of the opposition Good (IYI) Party, told reporters in the parliament.

To a question about her own possible candidacy, Aksener said she had never spoken about at any such move.

“We are listening to the troubles of the nation and bringing them to the agenda of public opinion,” she said.

“Most importantly, I have been travelling [through Turkey] since January 20, 2020. While doing this work, I do not have any dream [about the presidency] related to my party or me. I do not have any dream besides Turkey, which I have said clearly.”

Aksener, however, added that there “is a lot of time to the elections” so “we can see what happens.”

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