The CHP (Republican's People Party) is preparing for the weekend's convention in Ankara when a new leader is expected to be elected. Former leader Deniz Baykal was forced to resign less than two weeks ago over a sexual scandal involving him and one of his deputies.

The convention is expected to elect the only runner for the place once occupied by Baykal (who confirmed yesterday that he will not seek to be re-elected), Kemal Kýlýçdaroðlu.

After obtaining overwhelming support from the party’s provincial heads and influential General-Secretary Önder Sav, Kýlýçdaroðlu has intensified his work to form his administrative team ahead of the convention. While nobody knows the exact content of Kýlýçdaroðlu address to delegates, rumors have it that his speech will focus on issues like corruption and poverty. Kýlýçdaroðlu makes no mystery about his idea of the need for more democracy within the party mechanism and dynamics. And it is with this idea in mind, i.e. more democratization, that he intends to lead the party to the next general elections in 2011. If he indeed will be elected president of the CHP, that is.

Baykal, 71, resigned following the release of the video two weeks ago. Although he said he will not insist on reclaiming the party leadership, it is widely believed that he will not abandon the political scene so easily.