AKP eyes one last try with nationalist party after CHP talks

ISTANBUL

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If the talks between ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) to form a coalition government fails, then there may be “one last try” with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), EU Minister Volkan Bozkır said. 

Talks with the CHP are not “coalition negotiations,” just exploratory talks aiming to understand if the two parties can launch coalition negotiations, Anadolu Agency quoted the minister as saying on July 31.

Following the upcoming meetings between the AKP and the CHP on Aug. 1 and Aug. 3, delegations will inform party leaders on whether they can start coalition talks or not, he stated.

The AKP is now making “sincere efforts” to form a government, but if the talks with the CHP fails, his party may try one more time with the MHP. In case of failure in both cases, the last solution would be to “ask for the national will,” he added. 

The EU minister’s remarks came after AKP leader Ahmet Davutoğlu revealed the party was also in close contact with the MHP. 

The MHP previously declared their unwillingness to hold talks on a government partnership with the AKP. But we have decided to keep in touch and work with the MHP, under the coordination of [Labor Minister] Faruk Çelik,” Davutoğlu said in an address to his party July 30.

Davutoğlu said the exploratory talks with the CHP were ongoing, while underlining talks with the MHP will also be resumed when necessary.