On 16 September, DPI held an online roundtable meeting entitled ‘Opposition’s Perspective on the political, social and economic effects of COVID-19 in Turkey’ with Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, President, Republican People’s Party (CHP). This was the fifth of a series of online meetings with representatives from different political parties to discuss the current situation in Turkey light of COVID-19. Previous meetings hosted representatives of AK Party, HDP, Future Party and Saadet (Felicity Party). As the leader of the main opposition party, Kılıçdaroğlu discussed the role of the opposition during the crisis, and the challenges and opportunities for democratisation. During the meeting, Kılıçdaroğlu talked about the main issues in Turkey: the economy, foreign policy, education, democracy and social peace. The meeting brought together on an online platform a diverse group of participants from Turkey, including academics, journalists, lawyers, politicians, representatives from civil society, and members of Wise Persons Committee (WPC). The meeting was also joined by representatives of the European Union, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Embassies of Ireland, Denmark, Germany, and the USA in Ankara. The RT forms part of a larger series of activities planned in the context of the project: “Supporting inclusive dialogue at a challenging time in Turkey”, supported by the EU, the Norwegian and Irish government.
