Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ISTANBUL99
2009-03-11 14:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Istanbul
Cable title:
CHP CONTROL OF EDIRNE THREATENED IN MAYORAL
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UNCLAS ISTANBUL 000099
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL TU
SUBJECT: CHP CONTROL OF EDIRNE THREATENED IN MAYORAL
REMATCH
1 (U) Incumbent Edirne Mayor Hamdi Sedefci of the Republican
People's Party (CHP) faces a tough rematch at the polls on
March 29 from Justice and Development Party (AKP) candidate
Mustafa Hatipler. Sedefci barely defeated Hatipler in the
2004 local contest; winning by less than 1,000 votes out of
82,000 cast. A close contest in the last election, combined
with a four month stint in jail in 2008 on corruption
charges, threatens to make this rematch an even tougher race
for the incumbent Sedefci.
2. (SBU) Sedefci told us the 2004 campaign was more
challenging because he lacked a sizable staff in the previous
election as he did not run as an incumbent. He claimed his
proven track record of providing services to the city will
help him to victory, predicting a strong turnout for CHP. He
explained that his election strategy in the last two months
has included reaching out to nearly 5,000 more "trustworthy"
women and children through tea party meetings. Sedefci
assured us the corruption charges against him were baseless,
driven by a vengeful police chief. Sedefci contended the
baseless charges came only four months after he had been
jailed. He cited human rights concerns for having been
jailed without charge, claiming the police arrested him first
and then searched for evidence. He declined to provide his
thoughts on the Ergenekenon indictment, noting that the room
was bugged. He has been out of jail for about nine months,
but he told us his next court appearance will be on April 10
after the election.
3. (SBU) In contrast, our meeting with AKP candidate Hatipler
centered on policy issues, such as improving Edirne's
infrastructure and creating more opportunities for college
bound students. Hatiplar contended Sedefci's greatest
challenge will be overcoming his failure to attract
investment to the city, especially in light of the economic
crisis.
4. (SBU) Edirne -- a former capital of the Ottoman Empire --
is literally at the crossroads to the European Union,
bordering both Greece and Bulgaria. Edirne's 130,000
residents resemble the diversity of the region, home to a
synagogue until 1970 and two Bulgarian churches. Also the
Roma compose 30 percent of Edirne's population, according to
Deputy Governor Aydin Akkor. Edirne's electorate has
historically alternated between electing CHP or center-right
Motherland Party (ANAP) mayors over the past six elections.
In the 2007 general election AKP did relatively poorly in
Edirne; receiving only 21 percent of the vote, compared to 47
percent nationwide.
5. (SBU) Comment: With polling data unavailable, it is
unclear whether the corruption charges against Sedefci will
make the difference this time around. Both pro-government and
opposition media have portrayed Sedefci as the culprit, yet
Sedefci's self portrayal as the victim of a political witch
hunt might resonate with voters. If Hatipler does prevail on
March 29, then AKP would have a powerful symbolic victory in
this historic and diverse city.
Wiener
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL TU
SUBJECT: CHP CONTROL OF EDIRNE THREATENED IN MAYORAL
REMATCH
1 (U) Incumbent Edirne Mayor Hamdi Sedefci of the Republican
People's Party (CHP) faces a tough rematch at the polls on
March 29 from Justice and Development Party (AKP) candidate
Mustafa Hatipler. Sedefci barely defeated Hatipler in the
2004 local contest; winning by less than 1,000 votes out of
82,000 cast. A close contest in the last election, combined
with a four month stint in jail in 2008 on corruption
charges, threatens to make this rematch an even tougher race
for the incumbent Sedefci.
2. (SBU) Sedefci told us the 2004 campaign was more
challenging because he lacked a sizable staff in the previous
election as he did not run as an incumbent. He claimed his
proven track record of providing services to the city will
help him to victory, predicting a strong turnout for CHP. He
explained that his election strategy in the last two months
has included reaching out to nearly 5,000 more "trustworthy"
women and children through tea party meetings. Sedefci
assured us the corruption charges against him were baseless,
driven by a vengeful police chief. Sedefci contended the
baseless charges came only four months after he had been
jailed. He cited human rights concerns for having been
jailed without charge, claiming the police arrested him first
and then searched for evidence. He declined to provide his
thoughts on the Ergenekenon indictment, noting that the room
was bugged. He has been out of jail for about nine months,
but he told us his next court appearance will be on April 10
after the election.
3. (SBU) In contrast, our meeting with AKP candidate Hatipler
centered on policy issues, such as improving Edirne's
infrastructure and creating more opportunities for college
bound students. Hatiplar contended Sedefci's greatest
challenge will be overcoming his failure to attract
investment to the city, especially in light of the economic
crisis.
4. (SBU) Edirne -- a former capital of the Ottoman Empire --
is literally at the crossroads to the European Union,
bordering both Greece and Bulgaria. Edirne's 130,000
residents resemble the diversity of the region, home to a
synagogue until 1970 and two Bulgarian churches. Also the
Roma compose 30 percent of Edirne's population, according to
Deputy Governor Aydin Akkor. Edirne's electorate has
historically alternated between electing CHP or center-right
Motherland Party (ANAP) mayors over the past six elections.
In the 2007 general election AKP did relatively poorly in
Edirne; receiving only 21 percent of the vote, compared to 47
percent nationwide.
5. (SBU) Comment: With polling data unavailable, it is
unclear whether the corruption charges against Sedefci will
make the difference this time around. Both pro-government and
opposition media have portrayed Sedefci as the culprit, yet
Sedefci's self portrayal as the victim of a political witch
hunt might resonate with voters. If Hatipler does prevail on
March 29, then AKP would have a powerful symbolic victory in
this historic and diverse city.
Wiener