Turkish opposition launches campaign to oust Erdogan, hold early elections

The announcement came during the CHP’s 21st extraordinary congress held in the capital, Ankara. In a televised address, party leader Özgür Özel declared that the campaign would officially begin on Monday, emphasizing that the initiative seeks to demonstrate strong public opposition to Erdogan's continued rule.

“We are ready for early presidential elections in June,” Özel said. “And if Erdogan is not prepared to face the people in June, then we are ready to challenge him in the first half of November.”

Ekrem İmamoğlu, the former mayor of Istanbul who was recently detained, remains the CHP’s sole declared candidate and is widely seen as Erdogan’s most formidable rival should early elections be held.

However, any move toward snap elections would require parliamentary approval, with a minimum of 360 votes needed to pass the motion.

Currently, the CHP holds 127 seats, while the ruling alliance of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) commands 315 seats, presenting a significant hurdle for the opposition to reach the necessary quorum.

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ANHA