36th Republican People's Party Ordinary Convention explained

Election Name:2018 Republican People's Party leadership election
Flag Image:Flag of the Republican People's Party (Turkey).svg
Type:convention
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:35th Republican People's Party Ordinary Convention
Previous Year:2016
Election Date:3–4 February 2018
Next Election:37th Republican People's Party Ordinary Convention
Next Year:2020
1Blank:Constituency
2Blank:Nominations
3Blank:Proportion
4Blank:Delegate vote
5Blank:Percentage
Image1:Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu Nov 15 (cropped).jpg
Image1 Size:190x190px
Candidate1:Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu
1Data1:İzmir (II)
Colour1:D50000
Party1:Republican People's Party
4Data1:790
5Data1:63.9%
Image2 Size:190x190px
Candidate2:Muharrem İnce
1Data2:Yalova
Colour2:D50000
Party2:Republican People's Party
4Data2:447
5Data2:36.1%
Map Size:370px
Leader
Before Election:Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu
Before Party:Republican People's Party
After Election:Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu
After Party:Republican People's Party

The 36th Republican People's Party Ordinary Convention (Turkish: 36. CHP Olağan Kurultayı) was an election scheduled to take place on 3 and 4 February 2018.[1] During the convention, several high-ranking positions in the Republican People's Party (CHP), the centre-left main opposition party in Turkey, were up for election. The party leadership of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who first won the position in 2010, was challenged by several other party members, notably including former CHP parliamentary group leader Muharrem İnce, and former president of the Istanbul Bar Association, Ümit Kocasakal.[2]

Of the five contenders announcing their candidacy for the leadership, only two, namely Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and Muharrem İnce, obtained the required 127 signatures from delegates to formally nominate themselves.[3] The run up to the convention saw fierce infighting between the nationalist and left-wing factions of the party, with particular criticism being directed at Kılıçdaroğlu for seeking another term as leader despite losing every national election and referendum since 2010.

The convention was precluded by district and provincial party conventions that elected local party chairmen and delegates for the national convention. Particular criticism was directed at the party leadership for allegedly skewing electoral processes in their favour.[4] 77 provincial leaders later announced their support for Kılıçdaroğlu, with rival contender Muharrem İnce alleging that delegates had either been forced or 'bought off' into supporting the incumbent.[5] [6]

Leadership election

Candidates

Nominated

CandidatePositionSignaturesPercentage
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu
Muharrem İnce Deputy parliamentary group leader of the CHP 2010–2014
1,246100.0
1,26697.7

Declared

The following people announced their candidate for the leadership but failed to collect enough signatures to formally nominate themselves:[7]

Results

CandidateVotesPercentage
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu79063.9
Muharrem İnce44736.1
1,23798.8
161.2
1,253100.0

References

  1. Web site: Başaran. Rıfat. CHP prepares for new congress under 'justice and courage' motto. Hürriyet Daily News. 18 January 2018.
  2. Web site: CHP'de ikinci aday Muharrem İnce. Samanyolu Haber. 18 January 2018. 18 January 2018.
  3. Web site: İnce, imzaları alıp Kılıçdaroğlu'na gitti: Delegeye baskı yapmayın. 31 January 2018.
  4. Web site: CHP'de kongre krizi .
  5. Web site: CHP'de 77 il başkanı Kılıçdaroğlu'na destek verdi. 18 May 2010.
  6. Web site: Muharrem İnce'den bomba açıklamalar! "Kuşkum yok".
  7. Web site: CHP'de kurultaya doğru: 'İkinci aday İnce olacak, Kaftancıoğlu etkisi görülecek'. Diken. 29 January 2018. 30 January 2018.