Early elections not supported by Turkey's top business body


(MENAFN- The Journal Of Turkish Weekly) One of Turkey's leading business groups has spoken out against any early elections, while also backing a coalition between the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Republican People's Party (CHP).

A coalition government between the AKP and the CHPwould live longer than other possible coalitions, Independent Industry and Business Association (MÃœSÄ°AD) head Nail Olpak said.

"Holding early elections without changing the current parameters would be wrong. I don't believe that the election results would be different [than those on June 7] without changing the elections law and showing their efforts and good intentions for a coalition government," Olpak told daily Hürriyet on June 21.

A MÃœSÄ°AD delegation headed by Olpak held meetings recently with political party leaders and President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan after the country's June 7 general elections.

"Our branch heads told me that a coalition government between the AKP and the [Nationalist Movement Party] MHP will be easier to form. In my opinion, it is harder for the CHP and the AKP to form a coalition government, but then again it will also be a wider and longer government, too," said Olpak, adding that a coalition between the AKP and Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) should not be overlooked in discussing possible scenarios.

"The HDP has the claim of being the party of [a wider segment of society in] Turkey. What is important is that the coalition should be formed rapidly but not without any principle. Several of our members even proposed giving a deadline for a coalition, saying [a coalition should stay in power] for at least two years.

They said they did not want a coalition formed only [to gain time] for an early election," said Olpak.


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