​Opposition Front: United, we stand strong

TURKEY - In Brief 28 Mar 2022 by Atilla Yesilada

---

Leaders of the six parties constituting the loose Nation Alliance gathered the second time in a month on Sunday night. At the top of the agenda was the AKP-MHP proposed amendments to the Electoral Law which largely aims tonix the chances of smaller parties to elect deputies to the Grand Assembly. Leaders resolved to form two standing committees to explore ways of cooperating in a future opposition coalition (after an election win) as well as counter-strategies tothe a.m. bill. On the positive side, the bill and relentless efforts by the pro-government media failed to loosen the deepening cohesion among the opposition alliance. On the negative side, one poll shows it needs to work on its PR strategy. In my opinion it is now almost certain that the six opposition parties will contest the next election under the same ticket. One of the new committees will explore the methods to make sure that even the smallest constituents, such as SP, DP, DEVA and Gelecek can send representatives to the Grand Assembly. While the leaders’ summit did not specifically word it, press commentary suggests candidates with local followings will be enlisted to the rosters to CHP and IYIP. The idea of banding together DEVA, Gelecek, SP and DP under the banner of a third alliance seems discarded. The mandate of the second standing committee is very loosely defined, in the sense uniting on a post-election economic reform agenda doesn’t appear to be not on top of the list of things to do. Yet, it is clear sign that the opposition is interested in governing the country for the full term of the next assembly, rather than striving towards ending the presidential system. In other words the specter of the...