Former President Gül urges a grand coalition for a strong government

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

CİHAN photo

Former Turkish President Abdullah Gül has urged for a strong government formed by a grand coalition of the two parties who received the highest amount of votes in the June 7 parliamentary elections. 

“In such an area, there is a need for a very strong government … I am of the opinion that … coming together – just as in Germany, where parties come together, tell each other everything and make a deal– is right for the current environment,” Gül said on July 31, after a Friday prayer in Istanbul’s Sarıyer district. 

To form a grand coalition, as Gül urged, the Justice and Development Party (AKP), which received 40.66 percent of the votes, and the Republican People’s Party (CHP), which received 25.13 percent, need to form a government. 

The two parties have been conducting exploratory talks, while Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said July 31 the AKP’s decision to remain in touch with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), despite the fact that the opposition party had previously announced its wish not to be involved in coalition talks.