Turkish ruling party ready to form coalition government
Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is ready to form a coalition government after losing its parliamentary majority for the first time since 2002 in the Sunday general election, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said Monday, Sputnik reports.
Turkey's Justice and Development Party (AKP) won the parliamentary election, obtaining 258 seats out of 276 needed to secure a majority, according to preliminary results.
“At this stage, we see no preconditions for pre-term elections. In these circumstances we will try to form a coalition government. And it is impossible without AKP,” Kurtulmus said.
He added that Turkey needs a new constitution, new state structure and democratic reform.
In order to change the Turkish constitution by nation-wide referendum, a party must secure at least 330 seats in the parliament. If the party takes 367 seats, it may amend the constitution without a referendum.
The Leftist Republican People's Party (CHP) gathered 25 percent, or 132 seats, while the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP) got 16.4 and 13.1 percent respectively, securing 80 seats each.
The Sunday Turkey general election saw an 86.5-percent turnout, electing 550 lawmakers for the parliament.
The final results of Sunday's election will be announced in 11-12 days after all appeals are considered.