Next opposition leaders’ summit to be held on March 27

Duvar English

Liberal opposition Democracy and Progress (DEVA) Party leader Ali Babacan has said a third meeting to be held between six opposition party leaders will take place on March 27, according to reporting by daily Cumhuriyet. 

Speaking at the second anniversary of his party’s founding, Babacan told journalists that the next meeting will be hosted by DEVA Party on March 27.

The leaders of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), İYİ (Good) Party, Felicity (Saadet) Party, Democrat Party, DEVA and Future Party are working together on the return of what they say will be a “strengthened” parliamentary system if they win the next elections.

Babacan said works will be carried out on a roadmap for the strengthened parliamentary system. He added that a joint presidential candidate to be endorsed by all six opposition parties would be determined in consensus with all the leaders later on.

The leaders of the six opposition parties signed a statement on the strengthened parliamentary system last month.

Their proposal explains the actions of the parties in the transition period if President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) lose the upcoming elections scheduled for 2023.

The parties envision reducing the election threshold to three percent, limiting presidential terms to one term of seven years, restoring judicial independence, improving individual rights and freedoms and abolishing the Higher Education Council.