Turkish leader sees end of main opposition after local polls

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - The March 31 local elections will cripple Turkey's main opposition party, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday.

"I believe that the Republican People’s Party [CHP] will be gradually marginalized and will abandon the political equation as we, [the ruling Justice and Development] AK Party and People’s Alliance [with the Nationalist Movement Party, MHP] strengthen our bond with our nation," Erdogan told a meeting of provincial election officials in the capital Ankara.

Erdogan said the upcoming local elections will be a milestone in the end of the CHP.

In the upcoming polls, the ruling AK Party and opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) have agreed to support each other’s candidates in some districts and provinces, while the CHP and the IYI (Good) Party made a similar arrangement.

"Now, they formed an alliance against our People's Alliance with their supporters. However, they will not succeed.

"I believe that my citizens will give the necessary response at the ballot box on March 31," Erdogan added.

Thirteen political parties will compete in Turkey’s local elections.

Turkish local polls are held every five years to elect mayors of 1,398 municipalities across the country. Among them are 30 municipalities in 81 provinces and 921 district municipalities.

Voters will also elect municipal council members in cities and and other local leaders.