Turkey's Erdo?an raises doubts on coalition before key meet

The leaders of the de facto ruling and main opposition parties are set to meet Aug. 13 for a make-or-break meeting on a coalition, but President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has expressed doubts about the possibilities, insisting that the country needs a strong political will to resolve its problems. 

?Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu, whom I mandated to form the government, can take steps for an early election or form a coalition. However, his opinions must match the opinions of the other party. It is not as if he will commit suicide if they do not match,? Erdo?an said in an address to village heads Aug. 12 in Ankara. 

Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of the National Movement Party (MHP), which is not involved in coalition talks, criticized Erdo?an for the timing of his statement.  

Prime Minister and Justice and Development Party (AKP) chair Davuto?lu and Republican People?s Party (CHP) leader Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu are scheduled to meet Aug. 13 in Ankara at 2 p.m. local time to give a final decision about whether they will form a government or not. The meeting comes just 10 days before the mandate Erdo?an gave to Davuto?lu expires on Aug. 23; if no coalition is formed, the country could go to snap elections within 90 days.

Hopes are not high for a coalition government as the CHP blames Erdo?an for blocking the making of a government in line with his personal ambitions. Dismissing such criticisms from the CHP as slander, Erdo?an said his wish was to form a government but in the event of failure, the only option would be to rerun the elections. 

?Each passing day shows more clearly the need for a strong political will for the solution of Turkey?s problems. I would endorse whichever option that would provide this. The most important character...