Turkey's staunch opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) closed its door to the minor right-wing Grand Unity Party (BBP) and Felicity Party (SP), ending speculations about electoral alliances for the upcoming June 7 general election.
MHP Deputy Chairman Semih Yalçın said on Wednesday that the MHP will not form a coalition in the upcoming June general elections, but added that "Regardless of which group they belong to, all individuals submitting their application will be evaluated."
In recent weeks BBP leader Mustafa Destici said that his party would welcome an alliance with the MHP. "We and the MHP are sister parties, originating from the same roots. It is therefore not unnatural for the public to consider an alliance between our parties appropriate," Destici said. The other right-wing party, the SP, also shared a similar sentiment. Responding to a question about a possible electoral alliance with the MHP, the chairman of the SP, Mustafa Kamalak, said that they are open to cooperation. "We are ready to serve this country in every respect," he said. In addition, MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli said that his party's doors are open to election alliances, although they have not held any negotiations about alliances with the aforementioned parties, but added that there is plenty of time before the elections to discuss these issues.
Yalçın said that none of the party's committees or Bahçeli has been approached with such a proposal. "The information and news regarding these claims has not been anything more than a desire. We acknowledge that the news of such claims on social media are only being made to cause pressure on the party," he added.
According to the Supreme Election Board, political parties must submit their list of candidates before April 7.
