Türkiye’s fractured opposition parties ended months of fractious debate on Monday and agreed to nominate the chairperson of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, as their joint candidate against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the upcoming May polls.

“As a result of our meetings, we have decided that Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu will run as our candidate for president,” Temel Karamollaoğlu, the chairperson of opposition Felicity Party (SP) said, after hosting a meeting with the leaders of six opposition parties.

In a joint statement following their meeting in the capital Ankara on Monday, the six-party opposition bloc announced their decision to nominate CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu as its candidate.

The alliance of six opposition parties comprises of the Republican Peoples Party (CHP), Good Party (IP), Felicity Party (SP), Future Party (GP), Democrat Party (DP) and Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA).

IP Chairwoman Meral Akşener rejoined the opposition alliance and attended the coalition’s meeting on Monday.

Akşener quit the bloc on Friday due to her unwillingness to support the candidacy of Kılıçdaroğlu for the upcoming elections.