Ince is a very experienced politician. He was elected four consecutive times in 2002, 2007, 2011 and 2015 as CHP deputy dor his hometowns. He also served as CHP’s parliamentary group deputy chairman for two terms. He was the candidate in 2018 Turkish presidential election and received over 30% of the votes, placing him second behind Erdogan with 53%.
Last week, three lawmakers announced their resignation from CHP. Those three lawmakers are likely to join the new party to be founded by Ince during summer 2021. Among three lawmakers, Mehmet Ali Celebi is taking attention since he was a member of Turkish army (Army Lieutenant) and jailed during Ergenekon trial. He stayed in jail for several years and released later since he was innocent like many detained in that period. He reasoned his resignation as following;
- Undemocratic administration among party executives (his warning are neglected at every stage and been ignored for the last two years. Moreover, CHP executives favors the people who are fundamentally vice versa to party principles.
- CHP close relation with HDP (political party representing PKK terror group in parliament)
- CHP executives who cannot say the name of Ataturk (by creating this difference, these leaders intend to distance Ataturk before and after Independence War. Shortly these executives found Ataturk as undemocratic and guilty of actions between 1923 – 1938)
- CHP foreign policy approach on S400 missile crisis with US, Bluehome land, Cyprus, Libia and relations Azerbaijan (CHP has not shown unity with AKP on national interest and seems like wavering many rights before the Turkish people)
- Implying CHP seems responding very weak on coup attempt during 2016.
CHP seems fractured at this moment. However, it is not all about that. This frustration also implies the deep divide among the CHP constituents. CHP constituents are mostly against the AKP domestic politics and its application. Most constituents believe that AKP is distancing Turkey from democracy and economy is badly administered. However, most CHP constituents believe that Turkey should protect its rights in Mediterranean region, continue to seek for energy reserves, support Azerbaijan at all costs. Those are the main points where CHP executives are reluctant to support strongly.
The establishment of more opposition parties could also benefit Erdogan’s AKP more broadly by splitting the vote against himself. However, Ince might serve as potential leader to constituents who are looking for a new direction than AKP. Whatever it might be, it is almost granted that coalition against Erdogan will be weakened and CHP will lose power in future.
