Nationalist MP blames president for failure of coalition talks

A senior lawmaker from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has blamed President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an for the possible failure of the coalition-making process between the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Republican People's Party (CHP) while noting the difficulty of organizing early elections.

"I think there is only one person in Turkey who doesn't want a coalition and it is President Erdo?an," Ümit Özda? of the MHP told reporters at a press conference Aug. 7 in Ankara. "Other than him, I don't think there is anybody who wants to go to early elections." 

Questioned about the possibility of a coalition between the AKP and the MHP in the event that current negotiations between the AKP and the CHP fail, Özda? said he would have no further remarks in the name of his party as necessary assessments had been made by MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli.

Bahçeli earlier declared his party's intention to remain as the opposition party and suggested an AKP-CHP government was the best option for Turkey. 

In response to recent violent attacks against Turkey's security forces by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the government declared that counter-terrorist operations would continue until the group completely withdraws from Turkey, Özda? said.

"It means we are not talking about a short-term [struggle]. I am of the opinion that politics and political leaders will take into account that Turkey has engaged in a long-term fight against the Middle East's two dirtiest terrorist organizations," he said. 

In view of these elements, Özda? considered that it would be difficult to hold early elections. "That's why if the AKP accepts MHP's conditions, the MHP would give away its body and soul. And it's not the first time we...