The opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has decided not to nominate metropolitan mayoral candidates in Turkey’s three largest provinces in a bid to support the People’s Alliance formed with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). The Hürriyet Daily news reported.
MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli announced the party’s decision in a speech in Turkey’s southern province of Antalya on Saturday.
“No matter who the Justice and Development Party nominates in the three biggest provinces, we will provide full support. There has been no bargain, collusion or give-and-take in making our decision,” he said.
“We have our own nominees in every other place,” he added.
Bahçeli also vowed continued support for the People’s Alliance and the transition to a presidential system of governance following a referendum in 2017.
“Whoever takes aim at the presidential system will find us standing against them. The is about the People’s Alliance, the presidential system and the composition of local administrations in line with that,” he said.
After their successful joint effort to win the referendum for the switch to a presidential system of governance in 2017, the AKP and MHP formed the People’s Alliance ahead of the June 24 parliamentary and presidential elections.
However, the two party leaders have not yet agreed on nationwide collaboration in the local elections slated for March 31, 2019.