AKP to reveal parliamentary election candidates on May 25: Spokesman

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) will announce its candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections on May 25, AKP spokesman Mahir Ünal said on May 10. 

Speaking to reporters in the capital Ankara, Ünal said a meeting to announce the party’s election candidates will be held on May 25.

Last month, the Turkish parliament passed a bill calling for early elections on June 24.

“We will introduce you with our candidates and our campaign concept,” Ünal said, adding that the AKP’s election songs will also be revealed during the meeting.

A total of 7,340 people have applied to become AKP candidates in the elections, Ünal said.

He also criticized 15 lawmakers of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) who last month joined the newly-formed İYİ (Good) Party to help them run in the elections and later moved back to the CHP.

Ünal also said the party was not planning to hold any rally in Europe except Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s rally in Bosnia, citing the limited time left to the elections as a reason.

On June 24, Turkey will hold both presidential and parliamentary elections.