​Opposition summit:Good news, bad news

TURKEY - In Brief 25 Apr 2022 by Atilla Yesilada

Six opposition leaders constituting the Nation Alliance gathered Sunday night to debate how to mitigate the big-party bias of the amendments to the electoral law, as well as the previously proposed formation of “standing committees” to study the possibility of writing a coalition protocol.I write this Brief without the benefit of much back story on the meeting, because press attention was focused on the Gezi Trail, where “lead suspect” Mr. Osman Kaval and his purported accomplices were dealt harsh prison sentences. Let’s start with good news: The meeting lasted over 6 hours, which shows many topics not yet reflected to press reports were debated. It also shows due concern to build a common future after the elections. The question of presidency did not come up. The Nation Alliance is under severe pressure from pro-AKP press and its own ranks to declare a common candidate. It wisely refuses to do so for two reasons. First, with the timing of the next election uncertain, it is better to go with an electable candidate based on fresh poll results THEN. Secondly, once a candidate is agreed upon, the person shall become the sole subject of Erdogan’s machinations and a massive smear campaign by pro-AKP press. Finally, apparently an agreement has been reached on the ”qualifications” of the candidate. S/he ought to be consensus-building, pro-democracy, abletorepresent all political ideologies in the country, as well as possessing a clean “rap sheet” re cronyism. I reiterate that the leaders will defer the decision to Kilicdaroglu and will approve his choice. Also on the positive side, a written declaration states four paramount priorities for the post-election government: A poli...

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