Pro-Kurdish HDP to take part in caretaker gov't

The caretaker government, which will lead Turkey to the Nov. 1 elections, is expected to be formed in the following week. As the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) announced that they will not participate in the caretaker government, it is anticipated that the government will have 25 ministers with 10 from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), three from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and 12 independents. Responding to questions on Wednesday regarding how the caretaker government is to be formed, the AK Party chairman and interim prime minister, Ahmet Davutoğlu, explained: "The appointed prime minister will propose ministries to the suggested names. If they accept the duty, the list of ministers will be sent to President [Recep Tayyip] Erdoğan and he will evaluate it."

In the HDP, it is expected that the members who are to be suggested for ministry posts will hold meetings with the party's co-chairs. In a statement regarding this subject, HDP spokesman Ayhan Bilgen said on Thursday that the process should respect every party's internal affairs. According to political circles in Ankara, the HDP is expected to receive the Culture and Tourism Ministry, Family and Social Policies Ministry and Environment and Urban Planning Ministry. Furthermore, moderate members of the HDP such as Celal Doğan, Mithat Sancar and Sırrı Süreyya Önder, are alleged to be suggested for these positions. Another issue regarding the HDP is whether their ministers will be able to attend the crucial National Security Council meeting to be held on Sept. 2. As only the justice minister, national security minister, interior minister and foreign minister are allowed to participate in these meetings, HDP ministers will not be able to attend.