36th Republican People's Party Ordinary Convention

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2018 Republican People's Party leadership election

← 2016 3–4 February 2018 2020 →
 
Candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu Muharrem İnce
Party CHP CHP
Constituency İzmir (II) Yalova
Delegate vote 790 447
Percentage 63.9% 36.1%

Leader before election

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu
CHP

Elected Leader

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu
CHP

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]

Background[edit]

Leadership election[edit]

Electoral system[edit]

Candidates[edit]

Nominated[edit]

Candidate Position Signatures Percentage
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu Incumbent party leader, first elected in 2010
1,085 / 1,266
86.7
Muharrem İnce Deputy parliamentary group leader of the CHP 2010–2014
166 / 1,266
13.3
Total
1,246 100.0
Number of delegates/turnout
1,266 97.7

Declared[edit]

The 36th CHP Ordinary Convention taking place in Ankara
Party members at the convention

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

Results[edit]

Candidate Votes Percentage
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu 790 63.9
Muharrem İnce 447 36.1
Valid votes
1,237 98.8
Invalid/blank votes
16 1.2
Total
1,253 100.0

References[edit]

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