Turkish president to ask ruling AKP to form coalition government
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he will ask the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to form a coalition government, after it lost its overall majority in recent parliamentary elections.
“I will first give the mandate (for talks) to the head of the political party that won the most votes,” Erdogan said on Sunday, referring to Prime Minister and AKP leader Ahmet Davutoğlu.
“If it (a coalition) cannot be established, I will then give the mandate to the head of the party that finished second,” he added, referring to opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.
Erdogan further said that he would use his constitutional right to call early elections only if those negotiations fail.
“It is unthinkable that the country is left without a government,” Erdogan said.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Turkish president said he would invite the leaders of all of the four parties that won seats in the parliament for talks next week.
Political observers say while the AKP could join forces with the third-placed Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), a grand coalition with the CHP is also probable.
After a swearing-in ceremony scheduled for June 25, the new parliament members will have to agree on a new cabinet within 45 days, but if they fail, Erdogan has the authority to call snap elections.
The AKP lost its overall majority in the June 7 elections for the first time since coming to power in 2002.
The party, which garnered 41 percent of the votes, will have 258 seats in the 550-seat parliament.
The CHP won 132 seats, and the MHP and the pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP) gained 80 each.
MSM/HJL/HRB
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