Many long-term Cabinet members to return if snap elections happen
As the unofficial results from the June 7 general elections indicate that none of the political parties that passed the 10-percent electoral threshold are able to form a government alone, discussions have begun on the possibility of coalition governments and snap elections. In the case of snap elections, 68 of the former deputies from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), including many prominent figures that were unable to be nominated as deputy candidates in the recent elections due to the party's by-law that say that deputies can only serve for three consecutive terms, may return to the party deputy candidate list.
The list of deputies that could return if early elections are held includes Ali Babacan, whose third term ended with the June 7 elections. He was economy minister for five years between 2002 and 2007 and was hailed for providing economic stability. Additionally, Beşir Atalay is another veteran AK Party politician that would be able to run as a deputy. He has been serving as deputy prime minister since 2011 and had previously been interior minister. Bekir Bozdağ, who previously was deputy prime minister, has been justice minister since 2013 and is also among the many prominent AK Party figures that would get a chance to run as deputy candidates in early elections. Furthermore, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, the president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) from 2010 to 2012, who has been serving as foreign minister, and Taner Yıldız, who is energy and natural resources minister, are also among those who were unable to participate in the recent general elections. Though he has said he is retiring from active politics with the June 7 elections, Bülent Arınç, a deputy prime minister and former speaker of the Parliament, will be eligible for candidacy in a possible snap election.
In addition, other leading veteran politician who are going to serve their third term in Parliament, such as Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, Health Minister Mehmet Müezzinoğlu and Development Minister Cevdet Yılmaz will not be able to be candidates in a snap election due to the party by-laws.
The list of deputies that could return if early elections are held includes Ali Babacan, whose third term ended with the June 7 elections. He was economy minister for five years between 2002 and 2007 and was hailed for providing economic stability. Additionally, Beşir Atalay is another veteran AK Party politician that would be able to run as a deputy. He has been serving as deputy prime minister since 2011 and had previously been interior minister. Bekir Bozdağ, who previously was deputy prime minister, has been justice minister since 2013 and is also among the many prominent AK Party figures that would get a chance to run as deputy candidates in early elections. Furthermore, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, the president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) from 2010 to 2012, who has been serving as foreign minister, and Taner Yıldız, who is energy and natural resources minister, are also among those who were unable to participate in the recent general elections. Though he has said he is retiring from active politics with the June 7 elections, Bülent Arınç, a deputy prime minister and former speaker of the Parliament, will be eligible for candidacy in a possible snap election.
In addition, other leading veteran politician who are going to serve their third term in Parliament, such as Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, Health Minister Mehmet Müezzinoğlu and Development Minister Cevdet Yılmaz will not be able to be candidates in a snap election due to the party by-laws.
Last Update: June 11, 2015 23:27