Table of Six summit: More good than bad news

TURKEY - In Brief 15 Nov 2022 by Atilla Yesilada

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The leaders of six opposition parties constituting the main stream opposition, dubbed the Table of Six (ToS) met for 8 hours on Monday night, to discuss a new constitution, joint economic program and coalition formation, as well as the implications of the tragic terror strike in Beyoglu, Istanbul. The good news is fears of a break-up in ToS ought to be put aside. The first prototype of the “final products” to be expected from ToS, a compressed draft constitution, will be unveiled on 28 November. ToS reiterated its determination to contest 2023 presidential race with a joint candidate, emphasizing that the candidate will be nominated by consensus. The bad news is two-fold. First, “impactful” developments from ToS to capture the imagination of the voters ought not be expected before the New Year. Next, the summit declaration and joint PR work by leaders is unlikely to dispel the abiding fear among pro-opposition critics that the whole ToS is an exercise in futility. In a nutshell, the ToS resolutions are as follows: The application by tiny Independent Turkey Party, (BTP in Turkish) to join the table, sponsored by IYIP chair Aksener was very politely turned down.ToS is alarmed by the social media blockage after the Beyoglu terror strike, which may be re-staged on the Elderton night to facilitate vote theft. It has assured voters that their votes will be safeguarded. ToS appears aware of the frustration among its constituencies and the pro-opposition media about the very slow progress of negotiations towards the joint presidential candidate, an economic program and a formal announcement to govern the country in a coalition. It will streamline its PR strategy, with leaders ...