Election Countdown Begins After Ankara Talks

President Ersin Tatar, speaking recently on the upcoming campaign, affirmed his commitment by stating, “We will continue on this path with honourable politics.”

Ankara Meetings Carry Strategic Weight

UBP leader and Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, DP leader and Deputy Prime Minister Fikri Ataoğlu, and YDP leader and Minister of Transport Erhan Arıklı are holding talks in Ankara today. While these meetings primarily address government cooperation, they are also expected to influence the coalition’s election strategy.

Upon their return, the three parties are scheduled to convene their respective Party Assembly meetings to finalize their roadmaps for the presidential election. The decisions taken by YDP and DP in particular are being closely watched.

DP’s Cautious Approach

DP previously postponed its Party Assembly meeting, and the party has yet to make a formal decision on whether to support President Tatar. Internal discussions suggest differing opinions on the matter. Party insiders note that the final decision will rest with DP’s official governing bodies, with the upcoming meeting expected to clarify the party’s stance.

Strategic Calculations Within YDP

YDP is set to hold its Party Assembly meeting tomorrow. This meeting is critical not only for determining election strategy but also for addressing potential amendments to the party’s bylaws. YDP leader Erhan Arıklı has previously signaled that the party may not give unconditional support to Tatar, instead opting to act in line with its own principles.

There is a visible faction within YDP that maintains a cautious distance from Tatar, making the party’s final position a potential game-changer in the election landscape.

Tatar Running as an Independent with UBP Backing

President Tatar, who has announced that he will run as an independent candidate, already enjoys the support of UBP. Attention now turns to the forthcoming decisions by DP and YDP, which will shape not only the presidential race but also the cohesion of the governing coalition during the campaign.