Felicity Party winks at AK Party ahead of elections

With increasing rumors of a possible alliance between the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and Felicity Party (SP) in the early parliamentary elections on Nov. 1, SP Vice Chairman Birol Aydın indicated on Thursday in a press conference that the party favors an election alliance. Underlining that coalitions and alliances in elections are "favorable things," Aydın said that though there has not been any request from any party toward an alliance, he affirmed that the party is ready to cooperate with all political parties for the benefit of the country. As political circles in Ankara report that there are talks being held through former SP Chairman Recai Kutan to take the pulse of a possible alliance, it has also been claimed that the AK Party has started unofficial talks with the Grand Unity Party (BBP).

Although interim Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said on Tuesday that the party will evaluate proposals and hold meetings regarding an alliance between the AK Party, SP and BBP, Aydın in his recent statements said that the party is preparing for the elections and that they are open to an alliance not only with the AK Party but also with the Republican People's Party (CHP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). It has been reported by sources in Ankara that Fatih Erbakan, the son of former prime minister and SP founder, Necmettin Erbakan, will also run as a candidate from the AK Party in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Erbakan, who previously parted ways with the SP, was also reportedly sent a deputy candidacy proposal by the AK Party before the June 7 general elections.