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Muharrem Ince, CHP’s former presidential candidate in 2018 and the leader of the newly-formed Homeland Party, was selected to contest the presidential elections, which will take place on May 14.
In the pre-election held at the party on Sunday, the presidential candidate became the party’s 58-year-old chairman after the party members’ votes.
The defeated leader was announced as a candidate
The party’s spokesperson Ipek Ozkal Sayan said in her written statement that Ince was unanimously elected as the candidate. “We chose our presidential candidate by placing ballot boxes directly in front of the members,” she said.
Muharrem Ince ran against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan five years ago when the ballot boxes were set up for the presidential elections.
In the June 24 elections, Ince received 30% of the votes and lost the race against Erdogan.
No signal to join any alliance
Meanwhile, after voting for his candidacy, the Homeland Party leader said they would consider the situation when asked if they would join any alliance. “We will not do anything against Türkiye, do not worry. But there is no need to rush or put pressure on us,” he said.
Ince claimed his current vote rate is “28% which would become 38% at the first round and 68% at the end of the second round.”
The People’s Alliance consists of The Justice and Development (AK) Party, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and Grand Unity Party (BBP). Also, the New Welfare Party is expected to be a part of the alliance.
“The AK Party accepted all our proposals,” said the deputy chairman of the party Dogan Aydal. “I am honestly warm to the offer to join the alliance.”
The opposition Nation Alliance is formed by the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Felicity Party (Saadet), Democracy and Progress Party, Future Party, Good (IYI) Party, and Democrat Party.
