Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ally, called on all political parties in the Turkish parliament to agree that elections should be held in May.
The presidential and parliamentary elections in Turkey are normally set for 18 June, but there has been intense debate for months on whether or not elections will be held early this year.
Bahçeli, who is known in Turkish politics as the “election day setter,” seems to have finally to put an end to speculation.
“Let’s carry our Turkey to elections by talking, discussing, compromising, settling and arriving an agreement. Let’s finish this business in May,” Bahçeli said on Thursday during his speech to his party’s parliamentary group.
The far-right nationalist leader did not specify a date, but May 14 was previously mentioned by Turkey’s pro-government media as a possibility.
Many in Turkey, in particular the opposition, view the upcoming elections as a critical turning point for the country. According to the polls, opposition parties could this time round have a chance to declare victory against incumbent President Erdoğan.
