President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey called for voting on June 24, 18 months earlier than had been expected, citing instability in Syria and Iraq.
The Turkish Parliament on April 18 extended the ongoing state of emergency for the seventh time for another three months.
Turkey’s president is unlikely to lose an election that will make him more powerful than Atatürk
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is one of a crop of present-day political leaders who value the respectability an ostensibly democratic election confers but don’t want to risk actually losing the vote.
After President Erdoğan has announced the date for snap election as June 24, the first statement by CHP has been made by the Spokesperson Bülent Tezcan, who has said, “Bring it on. As CHP, we are ready for the election as if it will be held tomorrow.”
Felicity Party (SP) leader Temel Karamollaoğlu said on April 18 that his party wanted to hold a meeting with Abdullah Gül, who served as president from 2007 to 2014, if the “opportunity” rises.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is confident that its chairman and current President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will win presidency in the first round of talks by securing at least 50 percent plus one vote.
Main opposition CHP stages sit-ins across Turkey against emergency rule
The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) on April 16 organized sit-ins to protest Turkey’s ongoing state of emergency, declared shortly after the July 2016 coup attempt.
İYİ (Good) Party leader Meral Akşener has said there is nothing to be alarmed about after Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli called for early elections on Aug. 26 this year.
The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) “is ready for elections to be held at any time, said CHP spokesperson Bülent Tezcan on April 17 in response to the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader’s call for snap elections.
Turkish government to extend state emergency for seventh time
The Turkish government plans once more to extend the state of emergency for another three months after ratifying a Prime Ministry motion.
An American pastor went on trial in Turkey on April 16 on terror-related charges, after spending the last year-and-a-half in jail.An American pastor went on trial in Turkey on April 16 on terror-related charges, after spending the last year-and-a-half in jail.
A Turkish court ruled on April 16 to keep an American Christian pastor in custody, deeming him to be a flight risk, after his trial opened in a case that has raised tensions with Washington.
The pastor, Andrew Brunson, whose trial began on Monday, has spent 18 months in jail since being accused of aiding terrorist groups, charges he has denied.
35th Heavy Penal Court combined 10 cases that were heard today. The next hearing will be held on October 18.
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