AKP, CHP on third round of talks with key topics on table

As the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Republican People's Party (CHP) have intensified exploratory talks for building a coalition government in their third meeting, top themes and subthemes emerged on which the two sides are examining comparatively, namely democracy, economy and foreign policy. 

The two delegations met July 28 in their third meeting under the leadership of Haluk Koç from the CHP and Ömer Çelik from the AKP. The delegations are expected to meet every day until the end of this week before submitting a general report to the two chairmen. 

Here are two parties' positions on some of these themes: 

New constitution: Given that the total seats of the two parties suffice to amend the constitution without the need of referendum, the AKP underlines its demand for "libertarian constitution based on equal and free citizenship." The joining of AKP deputy Osman Can, an expert on constitutional law, to the delegation is an indication of this intention. The CHP has agreed to the renewal of the constitution, on the condition that it will be adopted as a result of a parliamentary compromise. 

Kurdish question: Despite ongoing military campaign against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) camps in the northern Iraq, the AKP is in favor of the continuation of the Kurdish peace process. The social democrat party is not against the Kurdish peace process but has serious questions over its methodology. The CHP's demands its continuation under the parliament roof. The two parties are also on the same page for reducing the 10 percent national election threshold. 

Human rights and freedoms: In theory, the two parties do not disagree too much on these issues. But the CHP has serious criticisms over the Home Security...