Political parties set delegations for coalition talks

Turkey is leaving behind an election that has led to discussions of forming a coalition government for the first time in 13 and the political parties have begun to finalize their delegations that will lead the coalition discussions. Recent public surveys conducted by the ORC and İpsos research companies as well as the officials and supporters from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) have indicated a coalition government between the AK Party and the MHP is possible.

The Republican People's Party (CHP) had declared its 14 conditions for a possible coalition with the political parties. From this perspective, sources in Ankara indicate that while the AK Party is beginning to discuss potential names for its coalition delegation, the MHP and CHP have also begun their preparations for creating their delegations.

Announcements of coalition delegations from all political parties are expected following the commencement of the 25th Parliament after the announcement of the official election results by the Supreme Election Board (YSK), which is expected by June 20. However, sources report that the MHP will form the same number of coalition delegations as the AK Party.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu held a meeting with the AK Party Central Decision and Executive Board (MKYK) on June 10 at the party's Ankara headquarters in which he said that three separate delegations for the coalition talks have been prepared.

Local sources have reported that the judicial process will be lead with the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Şahin, the economy would be led by Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, and the delegation that would be in charge of the political process will be led by Davutoğlu.

According to sources, the MHP has begun to make contact with AK Party members who were former nationalist Grey Wolves belonging to the MHP. In this regard, MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli is expected to lead the talks while the MHP delegation is reported to include Istanbul Deputies Murat Başesgioğlu and Ekmelettin İhsanoğlu, who was also the joint candidate of the MHP and CHP during the 2014 presidential election. Sources further report that MHP General Secretary İsmet Büyükataman is expected to be included along with Oktay Vural. Though the names have not been finalized by Bahçeli, it has also been reported that the MHP will negotiate to run the State Personnel Department as well as the Finance Ministry.

Though some analysts and politicians view an AK Party-CHP coalition as a better option, CHP officials have yet to decide on a delegation for the negotiations. In addition to discussions of possible coalition governments, sources in Ankara report that leading figures from the CHP administration are expected to put together a coalition delegation.

Sources report that the CHP delegation is expected to include CHP deputy chairman in charge of economy policies, Selin Sayek Böke; CHP Vice Chairman and Istanbul Deputy Erdoğan Toprak; CHP vice chairman in charge of foreign relations, Murat Özçelik and CHP Secretary General Gürsel Tekin. It has further been indicated by sources in Ankara that the CHP may form a delegation consisting of members who are not deputies, but who are in line with the party.