For a few more votes…

Some of the party logos… 

 

Staunchly secular CHP, the opposition, plays the card of Islam now.

First appeared some women in black chador becoming CHP members, then one candidate declared he would open up Quranic schools in every neighbourhood, if there was a demand, now comes Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu of Istanbul Mayor candidate stating he will let headscarfed be employees in the municipality…

In the mean time, AKP, the government, using the social welfare card, state power  and distribute goods all around to poor families, like in the city of Tunceli. 

A roundup on the March elections: 

İstanbul to witness a tough mayoral race

It seems that the mayoral race for the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality, between the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) incumbent Kadir Topbaş and the Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, will be one of the toughest contests in the local elections on March 29. Kılıçdaroğlu, who comes from a bureaucratic background and has seen increasing popularity over the past several months due to the corruption charges he directed against certain AK Party members, bases his election strategy on bringing İstanbul an honest administrative model and standing against corruption.

What motivations lie behind CHP’s religious moves?

In Columnists

The staunchly secular main opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) recent initiative in support of Quran courses, which was preceded by another such move — the acceptance of covered women into the CHP ranks in late 2008 — has urged everyone to question the motives that lie behind these moves.

No more ’free’ in free elections

ANKARA – Turkey’s election watchdog issues a warning on government handouts on the eve of local elections, saying such aid is ’aimed at influencing voters’ decisions.’ The warning comes after a controversial ’furniture and washing machine’distribution.

CHP criticized on every aspect of ’Koran courses’ elections strategy

ANKARA – As the main opposition CHP tries to recover from a sudden mass defection of its chador-wearing members, who were invited with much fanfare, reactions from outside as well as inside the party mount against its pledge to open Koran courses if requested

Headscarf plan falls flat

ISTANBUL – A campaign termed the "headscarf initiative" led by the secularist Republican People’s Party, or CHP, seems to have ended in hostility and accusations just three months after it began.

[CROSS READER] Turkey refocuses on local elections

In Turkish Press Review

As the debates about Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s walkout at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos after an angry exchange with Israeli President Shimon Peres over Israel’s deadly military assault on Gaza simmer down, Turkey is beginning to refocus on the upcoming local elections, which will mark a make-or-break point for some of the political parties in the country.

Ask Kılıçdaroğlu: How can the CHP be saved?

In Columnists

Our newspaper was recently visited by Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the main opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) candidate for the mayoral office in the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

Baykal’s secret

In Columnists

Two major types of political parties have emerged in the modern world since the idea of changing rulers via elections has gained ground. One is called the "mass party."

CHP’s new Quran course initiative spawns questions

In Turkish Press Review

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has managed to dominate the national agenda once more prior to the upcoming local elections. What has brought the staunchly secular party to people’s attention is the appearance that the party is moving in the direction of support for Quran courses, a move that raises eyebrows.

An opposition style

By GÜLAY GÖKTÜRK on Turkish Press Review

Every conceivable sort of criticism and blame has been made already in the wake of the Davos outburst. Some of this criticism and blame came from the prime minister’s sworn enemies, and that came as no surprise.

The CHP’s headscarf initiative has collapsed

By TAHA AKYOL on Turkish Press Review

In a series of ostentatious ceremonies, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) accepted headscarved women into the ranks of the party, even pinning party pins onto them.

Ambition for power in Baykal’s party blunted

By EMRE AKÖZ on Turkish Press Review

The Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) candidate for mayor of İstanbul, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, paid a visit yesterday to our newspaper accompanied by the CHP İstanbul chief, Gürsel Tekin.

[CROSS READER] Baykal pins hope on Quran courses

In Turkish Press Review

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) candidate for Kocaeli mayor, Sefa Sirmen, announced earlier this week that he would open Quran courses on every street in Kocaeli if he is elected mayor.


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