Turkish main opposition indecisive on joining Erdoğan’s oath taking ceremony

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) was still undecided yesterday on whether to send a representative to the ceremony at Parliament Aug. 28, where Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will be sworn in as president.

Haluk Koç, a deputy leader of the party, said after a CHP Central Executive Board meeting Aug. 27 that the party had not made its mind on the issue and deputy parliamentary group leaders would reveal their final decision Aug. 28.

CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu already announced he would not attend the ceremony in person, with the Ruling Justice and Development blaming Kılıçdaroğlu for taking a “rude” stance towards Erdoğan.

“Our chairman will not join the presidential oath taking ceremony. Erdoğan will take the oath in the name of democracy, but there is a crime here,” CHP Spokesperson Koç said earlier.

Kılıçdaroğlu has left his lawmakers free to decide on whether to attend by not instructing a formal party boycott of the ceremony.

Gürsel Tekin, the secretary-general of the CHP, was present at the AKP convention Aug. 27, which saw Erdoğan leave the top party seat to former foreign minister Ahmet Davutoğlu.  

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bançeli has said he would attend the ceremony as it is state custom.