Nationwide interviews for over 7,000 candidates who applied to become members of parliament of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party are ongoing. A total of 1,388 candidates applied for the seat of Istanbul alone, and the interviews for the coveted positions started on Tuesday.
The interviews last five minutes and are held at the party headquarters. There are a total of 14 commissions comprised of five people who evaluate the interviews.
During the interviews, the candidates are asked about the socio-economic and demographic structure of the area they are running for. They are also asked about their projects and whether they are members of nongovernmental organizations. Additionally, the candidates must answer questions like “Are you recognized in your area?” and “Are you ambitious?”
The candidates are quizzed about domestic and international developments, as well as Turkey’s cross-border counter-terrorism operations. Their views regarding the Olive Branch and Euphrates Shield operations are asked.
Interviewers also evaluate the presentation of candidates. Males without a tie or suit are asked questions about their attire. Generally, the candidates tend to say: “This is how I am. I don’t wear a tie. Everybody knows me to be like this.”
The interviews are carried out by 14 commissions which are chaired by AK Party’s deputy general managers, members of the Central Decision Board and members of parliament as well as women and youth groups.
AK Party’s deputy general managers Cevdet Yılmaz, Hayati Yazıcı, Vedat Demiröz, Mustafa Ataş, Öznur Çalık, Ahmet Sorgun, Harun Karacan, Çiğdem Karaaslan, Ravza Kavakcı, Erol Kaya, Mahir Ünal, Mehdi Eker, Fatih Şahin and Hamza Dağ head the commissions.
Those who pass the initial interview are presented to President and AK Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan after they successfully pass the security check in a report prepared by the party’s deputy general managers.
