The ball in two leaders’ court for coalition government

ANKARA

DHA photo

As exploratory talks between the ruling and main opposition parties have been concluded after 30-hours of talks, it’s time for the two leaders to decide on whether to launch negotiations to make a coalition government. 

The delegations from the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Republican People’s Party (CHP) met for the last time on Aug. 3 in Ankara and announced they will submit reports to their leaders, Ahmet Davutoğlu and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu respectively, outlining issues on which the two parties’ policies overlap and differ.  

“We did our job,” said CHP deputy leader and spokesperson Haluk Koç.

“Afterwards, it’s up to Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu and his ruling party to make a decision, as he was given the mandate to form a government,” Koç added. “In this frame, we will make our assessment if there is a demand [from the AKP] for a meeting with the CHP.”

Koç said the report they will submit to Kılıçdaroğlu will be neither positive nor negative but rather, will contain findings on main political issues, adding, “There are serious, fundamental differences on some issues but there are also issues we have similar views on. These will be reported to the leaders.”

Culture Minister Ömer Çelik had similar comments. Çelik, who led the AKP delegation, said the exploratory talks had been completed by going through all issues. “In the end, the decision will be given by our chairman and necessary bodies of our party. If they come to the conclusion that these preliminary talks have shown there is a space for mutual compromise, then negotiations will begin. Otherwise, the process will end at this point.”