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Rumors swirl in Turkey as former presidential candidate reportedly seeks to form new political party

Muharrem Ince, a former presidential candidate for Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), reportedly expressed interest in establishing a breakaway party, fueling rumors analysts say might serve as a trial balloon for future political maneuvers.
ANKARA, TURKEY - JUNE 25: Muharrem Ince, presidential candidate of main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) holds a news conference evaluating the election results on June 25, 2018 in Ankara, Turkey. More than 59 million citizens vote yesterday for presidential and parliamentary elections. Turkey's High Electoral Board declared Recep Tayyip Erdogan the winner of Sunday's polls. Erdogan won 52.6 percent of the votes in the presidential race, avoiding a second-round runoff vote. His ruling Justice and

ISTANBUL — Turkish media was abuzz with rumors on Aug. 4 that Muharrem Ince, a former presidential candidate and member of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), is seeking to establish his own breakaway party following disagreements with CHP leadership.

The news was initially reported Aug. 1 by the pro-government Hurriyet newspaper, which described Ince as frustrated with his minor role in CHP politics following a failed presidential bid in the 2018 elections. The next day, Ince said in a tweet he did not speak with any news outlet and he would explain himself after he made a decision “that I believe is right for my country.”

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