Today in History – 13 July

Consolidation of the Left

Following the coup d’état of 1980, CHP was shut down along with all other political parties on October 16, 1981.

When political activity was reinstated in 1983, Social Democratic Party (SODEP) was founded by Prof. Erdal İnönü to embrace the history and mission of CHP and take over its grassroots. However, when the National Security Council vetoed Erdal İnönü, Cezmi Kartay became the party president instead. Erdal İnönü returned to the presidency of his party only when the veto authority of the NSC was lifted.

In the first local elections of March 25, 1984, SODEP became the second party after ANAP with 23.4% of the votes. In the first SODEP Convention of April 13, 1984, party leader Erdal İnönü stated that a “single roof” was mandatory on the left wing and invited the People’s Party (HP) to merge. On July 13th, Erdal İnönü and HP leader Necdet Calp agreed in principle for the consolidation of the two parties. Following the protocol signed in 1985, the name of the party was changed to Social Democrat People’s Party (SHP).