The end of an era at CHP
The 1960s were the years in which CHP took a new stand as the “left of the center” and brought to fore its social democrat identity. Castigating the new line of CHP with the slogan, “left of the center, Moscow you enter,” the Democrat Party; however, won the 1965 elections by a landslide. Ecevit shone out of the inner party conflict caused by the defeat and was elected general secretary at CHP’s 18th convention on October 24, 1966. As of this date, Ecevit and İnönü often stood at opposite ends. As they were both trying to maintain the integrity of the party, they were involved in a cutthroat competition in creating the new line of CHP.
In the speech he delivered at the 5th Extraordinary Convention organized on May 5, 1972, İnönü said, “The disagreement that led to this convention cannot be resolved if Bülent and I take office together.” Ecevit, on the other hand, accused İnönü of pursuing a policy of balance.
In the vote of confidence held on May 7th, the pro-Ecevit party council received 709 votes against 498. As the leader identified with CHP, İsmet İnönü thus resigned from the presidency of the party on May 8, 1972 after 33 years, 4 months, and 11 days in office.
In the Special Convention held on May 14, 1972, Bülent Ecevit was elected the third president of CHP after Atatürk and İnönü. This marked the end of an old era and the beginning of a new one at CHP.
