AKP, MHP jointly apply to election board for Erdoğan’s presidential bid

ANKARA

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its election ally the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) have jointly applied to the Supreme Election Board (YSK) for the nomination of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for the upcoming snap presidential elections.

Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım and MHP head Devlet Bahçeli went to the YSK early on May 4 to register Erdoğan as their joint candidate for the presidency, in the election that will take place on June 24.

The AKP and the MHP established what they call the “People’s Alliance” to run together for both presidential and parliamentary elections.

“We are living an historic day. Today we are taking a very good step toward a more stable governance system in Turkey,” Yıldırım told reporters after the application was made to the YSK.

The AKP and the MHP have also reportedly agreed on the protocol to be implemented under the “People’s Alliance.”

The protocol that underlines the basic principles of the alliance was submitted to the YSK late on May 4. The protocol cites the July 2016 coup attempt and “the determination of the two parties in the struggle against those who want to weaken Turkey.” It also describes Turkey as a “leader country” in its region.