A constitutional referendum was held in April 2017 on transforming the political system of Turkey from a parliamentary to a presidential one. The referendum was sponsored by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the smaller oppositional Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). The referendum ultimately passed, effectively triggering the country's systemic transition. Meanwhile, the main opposition Republican People's Party, along with MHP dissidents like Meral Akşener, voiced strong opposition to the constitutional amendments. When the AKP and MHP later legalized the formation of pre-election alliances in order to contest the 2018 general election together, speculation arose over the possibility of opposition groups also establishing an alliance. After several rounds of talks, the CHP announced on 1 May 2018 the formation of its alliance with Akşener's new Good Party, as well as with the extraparliamentary Felicity and Democratic parties.