Countdown begins for Turkey's local elections
Baku, January 1, AZERTAC
The countdown for Turkey’s local polls, set to be held on March 31, has kicked off, according to Anadolu Agency.
On January 2, the council will disclose the political parties that will run in the polls.
The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) is expected to take part the race in an alliance with the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, while the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) is expected to ally with the Good (IYI) Party.
The AK Party has already announced its 74 candidates, while the CHP has announced 36 candidates, the MHP 34 candidates, and the IYI Party 15 candidates.
The AK Party has nominated Mehmet Ozhaseki, its deputy chairman and a former environment and urbanization minister, for mayor of capital Ankara in the upcoming election.
Former Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci has been nominated by the AK Party for mayor of Izmir, while Binali Yildirim, current parliament speaker and former prime minister, will run for mayor of Istanbul.
The CHP, meanwhile, has nominated Ekrem Imamoglu for mayor of Istanbul and Mansur Yavas for Ankara mayor.
Turkish local polls are held every five years to elect mayors of 30 metropolitan municipalities and 51 provincial municipalities.
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