Republican People's Party

The Republican People's Party (CHP) has declared that the selection of a parliamentary speaker has no connection to the formation of a future coalition government, but the Justice and Development Party's (AKP) maneuvers suggest otherwise amid moves to shape a power-sharing deal.

The official phase of the coalition talks to form a new Turkish government after the June 7 election is expected to start next week.

Turkish politicians love to praise the country for its young population and say they want to see more women getting involved in politics, but when it comes to nominations for key posts, there are not many places for young people or women.

The three names officially announced to run for the Speaker of Parliament post, to be decided on June 30, are the latest example of this fact.

Turkey's Republican People's Party (CHP) has nominated its former chair Deniz Baykal as its candidate for the parliamentary speaker's position, while the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has picked Ekmeleddin ?hsano?lu, former head of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

?True,? this column admitted as early as eight years ago, ?There are probably a million very good reasons why the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Republican People?s Party (CHP) cannot ally in a ?grand coalition? after July 22 (2007 parliamentary elections.? (?Why a grand coalition is the healthiest option for Turkey,? Hürriyet Daily News, July 13, 2007.)

Turkey's newly elected deputies are getting down to business after taking their parliamentary oaths in an effort to elect a parliamentary speaker despite the absence of a coalition government.

Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu held a lengthy meeting with Deniz Baykal, the former leader of his party, leading to speculation the CHP could support Baykal in his probable run for the parliament speaker's office. 

Cüneyt Arcayürek, a veteran Turkish journalist, died on June 23 due to multiple organ failure. He was 87.

A lead columnist for daily Cumhuriyet, Arcayürek had been under treatment in a private hospital in Ankara since May 13. He will be laid to rest in the Gölba?? district of Ankara on June 25, without a funeral ceremony according to his bequest.

I am asking those who gave an award to Iranian Turkish businessman Reza Zerrab: Can you please explain it to me in a simple manner?

This person called Reza...

- How did he become a champion of exports?

- What did he produce?

- What did he export?

- To which countries did he export?

New members of the 550-seat Turkish parliament will take their oaths at the first session of the national assembly on June 23.