AK Party and MHP discuss conditions of coalition behind closed doors
The June 7 elections, which gave no party sufficient power to lead alone, continue to top Turkey's agenda, and there has been no consensus yet over which parties will ally to form a government. The discussions continue with parties revealing vague details about their preference for a coalition government and conditions of partnership. A possible coalition between the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which has been deemed as the most suitable alliance to form a government by political analysts since the election results became clear, is allegedly on the table. The two parties are reportedly holding unofficial talks for a negotiation over a coalition.
The MHP, which initially closed its doors to both the AK Party and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), softened its stance on a coalition with the former, but maintained its stringent attitude toward siding with the HDP. Now there are reports claiming that behind closed doors the MHP and the AK Party are trying to make a deal on a couple of issues and the fresh rumor is that the MHP wants nine ministries to be run by the party. It has also been reported that the AK Party insists on holding the Justice and Interior Ministries. The AK Party is allegedly trying to learn which ministries the MHP would demand in the case of a coalition between the two. The MHP demanded nine ministries including the Justice Ministry, Interior Ministry, Education Ministry and Foreign Ministry. However, the AK Party, which has been diligently fighting against the "parallel structure," a reference to the Gülen Movement, which allegedly infiltrated key government bodies such as the judiciary and police, insists that the Justice Ministry should remain under the operation of the AK Party in order to continue its struggle against the organization.
Allegedly, the AK Party has proposed to the MHP the speaker's office, two deputy chairmanships and three ministries. If a deal is not brokered between the AK Party and the MHP, the AK Party will knock on the door of the Republican People's Party (CHP). The partnership of the duo, which is backed by business circles, does not appear very likely, given the slew of stipulations by the latter.
The MHP, which initially closed its doors to both the AK Party and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), softened its stance on a coalition with the former, but maintained its stringent attitude toward siding with the HDP. Now there are reports claiming that behind closed doors the MHP and the AK Party are trying to make a deal on a couple of issues and the fresh rumor is that the MHP wants nine ministries to be run by the party. It has also been reported that the AK Party insists on holding the Justice and Interior Ministries. The AK Party is allegedly trying to learn which ministries the MHP would demand in the case of a coalition between the two. The MHP demanded nine ministries including the Justice Ministry, Interior Ministry, Education Ministry and Foreign Ministry. However, the AK Party, which has been diligently fighting against the "parallel structure," a reference to the Gülen Movement, which allegedly infiltrated key government bodies such as the judiciary and police, insists that the Justice Ministry should remain under the operation of the AK Party in order to continue its struggle against the organization.
Allegedly, the AK Party has proposed to the MHP the speaker's office, two deputy chairmanships and three ministries. If a deal is not brokered between the AK Party and the MHP, the AK Party will knock on the door of the Republican People's Party (CHP). The partnership of the duo, which is backed by business circles, does not appear very likely, given the slew of stipulations by the latter.
Last Update: June 17, 2015 22:19