The UK branch of Turkey’s main opposition the Republic People’s Party (CHP) is hosting a special mid-week dinner for party leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who jets in to the British capital next week.
The North London event on 6 Dec. will be a chance for CHP’s British members and wider public to get together and hear about the latest political events in Turkey.
In April, Mr Kılıçdaroğlu was one of the leading figures in the No campaign against a shift to a Presidential system. They were narrowly and controversially beaten, when the Turkish Election Board decided to allow over 1 million unmarked ballots to be included in the final count, which gave the Yes camp a slender 2% victory. The No camp was prevented from mounting a legal challenge against the decision.
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu on his Justice March, 24 June 2017. Photo by Ziya Koseoglu/Wikipedia
Two months later in June, Mr Kılıçdaroğlu started a 250-mile Justice March from Ankara to Istanbul. Thousands of ordinary people from all parties joined him in protest against the AKP Government’s perceived interference in the justice system, and the arbitrary arrest and detention of hundreds of people. Since the failed coup of 2016, thousands of people have also been dismissed from their jobs after being accused of supporting terror groups. CHP UK organised a well-attended solidarity justice march for Londoners from Manor House to Wood Green too.
As Turkey undergoes a critical period leading up to three important elections in 2019 – Local, General and Presidential – the CHP London dinner will provide an opportunity for British Turks to learn from the CHP leader how his party, which garners 25% of the Turkish public vote, intends to check the ruling party’s 15-year reign and instead gain office.
Dinner Details
Title: CHP UK dinner with Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu
Date: Wednesday 6 December 2017
Venue: The Decorium, 22 Western Road, Wood Green, London N22 6UH
Start time: 7pm
Admission: £40
Reservations and info: please call 07801 814981, or 07531 372376, or 07809 302022
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu on his Justice March, 24 June 2017. Photo by Ziya Koseoglu/Wikipedia
