Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) nominated Naif Alibeyoglu as its mayoral candidate for the City of Kars, which borders Armenia. 

Alibeyoglu was elected Mayor of Kars in 1999, and he was reelected in 2004. In the 2009 elections, however, he was not reelected to this post.   

In his capacity as the Mayor of Kars, Alibeyoglu had paid a special attention to the restoration of the historical buildings of Kars, including the Armenian Holy Apostles Church which, however, currently serves as a mosque.        

In addition, Alibeyoglu had collected 50,000 signatures in favor of opening the border with Armenia; this is a considerable number because the population of Kars was about 70,000 at the time. 

But the nationalists and the Azerbaijanis living in Kars “accuse” Naif Alibeyoglu of being pro-Armenian.  

Incumbent Mayor of Kars, Nevzat Bozkus, on the other hand, is known for statements that instill enmity toward the Armenians. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has nominated Bozkus as its candidate for the next Mayor of Kars.