Former deputy calls on MHP to convene congress

ISTANBUL

Meral Aksener, the former Istanbul deputy of the opposition National Movement Party, or MHP, called Monday for the organization of an extraordinary party congress.

Speaking at a press conference in Istanbul, Aksener appealed the party’s senior delegations to convene the extraordinary party congress.

"I believe wholeheartedly that senior delegations should hold the congress and initiate our march to power," she said.

Before Aksener, Sinan Ogan, another former member of the party, had called for the extraordinary party congress.

"I invite Mr. Chairman [Devlet Bahceli] to respect the law [...] and call on him to take our party to an extraordinary congress as soon as possible," Ogan told reporters in a press conference in Ankara on Nov. 21.

He also announced his candidacy for the chairmanship.

Bahceli has been chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party since 1997.

The MHP has lost its spot as the third largest group in parliament in the wake of November elections sliding to the fourth following the Peoples' Democratic Party, or HDP.