Turkey’s opposition ousts longtime leader after general election defeat

The Financial Times: Following a significant defeat to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the presidential election, Turkey’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has voted out its longtime leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. The party chose Özgür Özel, a seasoned lawmaker, as its new chair in an effort to revitalize its strategy before local elections in March next year. This change in leadership is a notable shift for the opposition, as Kılıçdaroğlu had been at the helm since 2010. Özel won the leadership in a second-round vote, emphasizing a need for bold and assertive policies. The change comes amid concerns about Erdoğan’s increasingly autocratic rule. Kılıçdaroğlu’s leadership was criticized for the concessions made to smaller parties in the opposition coalition and for centralizing party management. Özel, advocating for reform, has promised a policy approach that appeals to a broad spectrum of the population.

The entire article can be read at the link https://www.ft.com/content/eb6e8736-b6d9-4b24-b280-eef85cb4ebc3