36th Republican People's Party Ordinary Convention

The 36th Republican People's Party Ordinary Convention is 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, will be up for election. The party leadership of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who first won the position in 2010, is set to be 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]

2018 Republican People's Party leadership election

3–4 February 2018

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

Of the five contenders announcing their candidacy for the leadership, only two, namely Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and Muharrem İnce, appeared to have 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 all national elections and referendums 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]