President Erdoğan held a landmark meeting with main opposition leader after decade

Turkish main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on May 2 at a first bilateral meeting between a CHP leader and President Erdoğan after a decade.

Özel arrived at the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) headquarters in Ankara for the bilateral discussion, with CHP member and retired Ambassador Namık Tan accompanying Özel as per protocol, purportedly to take notes. AKP’s Mustafa Elitaş was also present at the meeting that took one and a half hour. Özel left the AKP headquarters without making any statement.

This tête-à-tête marks the first bilateral meeting between a CHP leader and Erdoğan since 2012, and notably, the first under Erdoğan’s presidency since 2016 when he last hosted CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu along with other political party leaders.

The meeting came after the leaders’ initial contacts at the parliamentary reception on April 23 and subsequent discussions.

The meeting holds considerable weight in the wake of recent electoral shifts, with the CHP achieving its highest vote share in 47 years, and the AKP assuming the role of the second-largest party for the first time in 22 years. It symbolizes a milestone moment, bringing together the leaders of both parties.

Meeting agenda: New constituiton

While Özel emphasizes dialogue and negotiation, Erdoğan frames the discussion around constitutional reforms and anticipates CHP’s support for a new constitution. However, Özel’s stance underscores the importance of adhering to the existing constitution before contemplating changes.

Ahead of the meeting, Erdoğan emphasized the importance of dialogue, stating, “Mr. Özel requested an appointment, and we will receive him. The agenda will include constitutional processes, structural changes needed for the country in the coming period, fiscal policies, agriculture, national education, health, among other topics. Our door for dialogue is open to everyone.”

It is anticipated that Erdoğan will bring up constitutional amendments during the meeting, while Özel will stress the importance of compliance with constitutional principles and convey the CHP’s views regarding municipalities led by the opposition party.

The meeting also holds significance for discussions on adhering to rulings from the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights, particularly concerning recent developments in the judiciary and potential violations of rights.

Financial problems of CHP-governed municipalities

Prior to the meeting, Özel consulted with former CHP leaders Kılıçdaroğlu, Öymen, Çetin, and Karayalçın. The agenda includes pressing matters such as electoral results, economic crises, judicial issues, and infringements of rights, reflecting Özel’s commitment to address a broad spectrum of concerns.

Özel’s longstanding advocacy for pensioners’ rights and his call for the elevation of the minimum pension to the level of the minimum wage are among the issues expected to be raised with President Erdoğan. Moreover, discussions are likely to encompass the financial burdens inherited by CHP-governed municipalities from the AKP and MHP administrations. Özel will convey CHP’s concerns about infrastructural projects and loan applications that are awaiting president’s approval in CHP-led municipalities.