ANKARA
Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party's (CHP) move to put up Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu as its joint presidential candidate with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) is a "shocking decision," CHP deputy Nur Serter said on Monday.
"I expected that CHP's candidate was going to be a person suitable to the party's struggle, principles and ideology which it has advocated for 90 years," Serter told Anadolu Agency.
Despite his objection to Ihsanoglu's candidacy, Serter said she had nothing against nominating a joint candidate with MHP.
CHP and MHP on Monday named Ihsanoglu, former head of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), as their joint nominee for the upcoming presidential election due on August 10.
Criticizing the opposition's decision, Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) co-chairmen Ertugrul Kurkcu said that Ihsanoglu would not be able to represent Turkey as president.
"Ihsaoglu cannot receive votes from the every segment of society; it is loud and clear," Kurkcu said, adding that "HDP's presidential nominee will be the only alternative."
The 71-year-old retired as secretary general of the OIC - a collective body that promotes the interests of 57 member states - last year after being elected in 2005. Under his leadership the organization became more involved in humanitarian, social and economic issues. He is an author and diplomat who was born in Cairo to Turkish parents.
The vote will be the first time that Turkey's president is elected by direct popular vote.
A candidate needs more than 50 percent of the popular vote to be elected in the first round. If none of the three expected candidates receives the required percentage, there will be a second round on August 24 between the two candidates who received the most votes.
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