Turkish main opposition to announce candidate on May 4

By Mumin Altas and Kemal Karadag

ANKARA (AA) - The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) will announce its candidate for upcoming presidential election on May 4.

Speaking at his party's headquarters in Ankara on Tuesday, CHP spokesman Bulent Tezcan invited all citizens to hear the announcement of the party's candidate, which is expected to be made on Friday at the Ahmet Taner Kislali Gym in the capital.

Tezcan added his party was prepared for the elections.

Meanwhile, Felicity (Saadet) Party -- another party set to compete at the elections -- declared its Chairman Temel Karamollaoglu as their presidential candidate.

Last month, the parliament passed a bill calling for early elections on June 24, cementing Turkey’s move to a presidential system.

In the April 2017 referendum, Turkish voters approved the switching from a parliamentary system to a presidential one.

Under the changes, the number of lawmakers in parliament rises to 600 from 550, presidential and parliamentary elections are held every five years, and presidents can retain ties to their political party. The prime minister post is also abolished.