Böke will not run for Turkey's main opposition CHP chair after resignation

Selin Sayek Böke, who recently announced her resignation from her duties in the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), has said she will not run for the party leadership. 

Böke, who was the CHP's spokesperson, deputy leader responsible for the economy, and Central Executive Board (MYK) member, resigned from her posts on May 6, saying her resignation was a "political objection."

"I won't run for the party leadership. This resignation isn't about the CHP's congress process. I'm not willing to run. The CHP's needs to discuss the party's future according to political views, not according to individuals. A regular congress process that will give this opportunity has already started," Böke told daily Cumhuriyet on May 12.

Unlike some party dissidents, she stressed that the CHP does not need an extraordinary congress to be called. 

"The CHP needs a political debate that starts from the party base during the regular congress process. That's healthy because holding a regular congress will give an opportunity for all bodies of the party and participants at all levels to speak in their mind," she added.  

Saying that there were "no surprises" for CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu in her resignation letter, Böke noted that she had frequently voiced her objections to the party's practices. 

She also criticized the CHP's actions after the April 16 constitutional referendum, saying it did "not present a strong enough political alternative for 'No' voters." 

Turkish voters went to the polls on April 16 to decide whether to approve changes to the country's constitution, including a shift from the parliamentary system to an executive presidency.     

According to official results by the Supreme Election...