MHP draws lines for coalition with AKP

Umut Erdem - ANKARA

AA Photo

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which seemed by many to be the most likely partner of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) if the latter attempts to form a coalition government, has drawn its party lines on a potential coalition, without closing the doors to such an engagement.MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli will reportedly respond affirmatively if AKP leader Ahmet Davutoğlu asks for an appointment after he is given the mandate to form a government by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.During the meeting, however, Bahçeli will make his party’s reservations crystal clear. The MHP will reportedly ask the AKP to give up its aspirations for a presidential system, to not offer an amendment on Turkish identity and unitary structure if efforts for a new constitution continue and to exclude figures involved in corruption from new political formulations in order to build transparent and clean governance.The MHP will also reportedly tell the AKP that the Kurdish peace bid will expand zones of political extensions of terror and should be abandoned for perpetuity.Despite strict lines, MHP officials underlined that they would resume dialogue with the AKP in order to avoid political chaos and an economic crisis.After the election results were determined on June 7, Bahçeli warned that Erdoğan should “remain within his constitutional limits” or consider resigning. He also said Turkey should hold a new election if the AKP is unable to agree to a coalition with the opposition parties.