Hülya Karahan’s photo

Turkish voters have shown the parliament as the right venue for the resolution of all the country’s problems, the main opposition’s leader has said, calling all parties to abandon vicious discussions and not leave Turkey without a government.

“As the elections are over, it’s time to act and decide with common sense. It’s time to abandon vicious discussions; let’s leave them aside. No one has the luxury to leave the country without a government; that would be disrespectful to the voters,” Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) told the daily Hürriyet June 8. The CHP had 25 percent of votes, gaining 132 seats in parliament and continuing as the main opposition party.

All four political parties represented at the parliament have a responsibility but this responsibility is even higher for the opposition side, Kılıçdaroğlu said. “We have given promises to the voters: Two bonus salaries to the retired, increasing minimum wage, cheap gas for farmers, reducing the election threshold, removing laws from the [1980] coup, removing bans and ending subcontracted workers. And these should be done within a year.”

Kılıçdaroğlu’s words are interpreted as readiness for the social democrat party to discuss a potential partnership with the Justice and Development Party (AKP), which had 41 percent of votes and earned 258 seats. The mandate for the formation of the government will first be given to AKP leader Ahmet Davutoğlu and, in the case he cannot succeed, Kılıçdaroğlu as the second party. The process for forming the government must be completed in 45 days.

“There are so many problems in Turkey stemming from the AKP governments: In foreign policy, economy, in removing freedoms, in the abolishment of coup laws and in implementation of the necessities of the social state,” he stressed.

Putting a special emphasis on the foreign policy, Kılıçdaroğlu said, “Turkey should implement a pro-peace foreign policy. This is extremely important for the development of our country. This is also in line with the expectation of our people.”

Early polls would be wrong

Kılıçdaroğlu underlined that it would be wrong to go to early polls without resolving the problems created by the AKP. Meanwhile, the Nationalist Movement Party’s (MHP) leader challenged the government to go to polls if coalition scenarios fail.

“A similar result would be begotten from early polls. Now, it’s time to act with common sense and dialogue. All of our duty is to create a country where peace and comfort has been settled for our citizens. We, as the CHP, are ready to do our share.”