AKP, MHP slam CHP’s support for İYİ Party ahead of snap election

ANKARA

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) have blasted the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) over its decision to send 15 lawmakers to the İYİ (Good) Party in order to make it eligible for early elections.

“Those who speak about democracy, those who talk about principled alliances, are resorting to dirty games. This shows a complete situation of political decay,” MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli said on April 22.

Fifteen CHP lawmakers quit their party on April 22 to join the İYİ Party, which therefore secured a parliamentary group with 20 lawmakers and bypassed any further requirements to participate in the general and presidential elections scheduled for June 24.

“These corrupt politicians will no doubt get their response at the polls for scheming against our nation’s democratic acquisitions,” Bahçeli said.

Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci also criticized the opposition parties.

“Fifteen lawmakers have quit the CHP and joined another party,” Zeybekci said during a meeting of the AKP’s youth organization in Denizli.

“Why? They have left aside all their principles and come together for one reason: To target [President] Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. They are making plans on how to harm Turkey,” he added.