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The Nation Alliance^[3] (Turkish: Millet İttifakı), or simply Nation (Turkish: Millet), is an electoral alliance in Turkey, formed to contest the country's 2018 general election. The alliance was officially launched on 1 May 2018, and consists of four opposition parties, namely the Republican People's Party (CHP), the İyi Party (İYİ), the Felicity Party (SP), and the Democrat Party (DP).^[4] The constituent parties of the Nation Alliance are set to contest the parliamentary election under a common banner, while each individual party is expected to nominate its own candidate for the presidential election.

Formed against the backdrop of the 2017 constitutional referendum and subsequent constitutional amendments, the Nation Alliance brings together groups that campaigned for a "no" vote against the transition to a presidential system, and that are in opposition to the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.^[5] As such, the Nation Alliance is seen as rivalling the pro-government People's Alliance,^[6] which was established on 20 February 2018.

On 4 July, having won 189 seats in total, the İYİ Party General Secretary Aytun Çıray announced that the Nation Alliance had been dissolved, citing the lack of a need for a post-election alliance.^[7] In response, the CHP's spokesperson Bülent Tezcan said that the election alliance was no longer technically necessary, but the union of alliance parties under a joint set of fundamental values (such as separation of powers and the rule of law) would continue.^[8]

History

Formation

A constitutional referendum was held in April 2017 on transforming the political system of Turkey from a parliamentary to a presidential one. The referendum was sponsored by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the smaller oppositional Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). The referendum ultimately passed, effectively triggering the country's systemic transition. Meanwhile, the main opposition Republican People's Party, along with MHP dissidents like Meral Akşener, voiced strong opposition to the constitutional amendments. When the AKP and MHP later legalized the formation of pre-election alliances in order to contest the 2018 general election together, speculation arose over the possibility of opposition groups also establishing an alliance. After several rounds of talks, the CHP announced on 1 May 2018 the formation of its alliance with Akşener's new İyi Party, as well as with the extraparliamentary Felicity and Democratic parties.

Composition

Founding members

Supporting parties

On 18 May, Democratic Left Party (DSP) announced that they will support Nation Alliance.^[10]

İnce will supported by the YP,^[11] the TİYAP, the KP, the EYP, the BTP, the MMP, the MHHP, the Unity Party of Turkey, the United Turkey Party and the GAP^[12] and Akşener will supported by the DSP and the DYP (Muğla branch)^[13] for the presidential election.

Current members

References