Turkey headed for snap polls

Under the terms of the constitution, if no government is formed by August 23, Erdoğan must dissolve Davutoğlu’s caretaker cabinet and call on an interim power-sharing government to lead Turkey to a new election in the autumn.

“It has emerged that Mr. Davutoglu, who received the mandate, has not been able to form a coalition“, said CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, speaking to Turkish daily newspaper, Hurriyet.

Davutoglu had on Thursday announced the collapse of several weeks of coalition talks with the second placed Republican People’s Party (CHP), saying early elections now looked like the “only option” for Turkey.

Ahmet Davutoglu said he would return the mandate to the president.

Davutoglu has given no date for early elections, which some observers expect as soon as October or November.

The AKP prides itself on providing Turkey with nearly 13 years of stable one-party rule that have been a marked contrast to the chaotic coalitions and coups that marked political life before.

Turkey now seems set for a rerun of the June 7 general election that saw no party achieve a simple majority in parliament.

That would put him back on course to reshape Turkey’s democracy, giving the largely ceremonial presidency sweeping powers that would allow him to wield control over government affairs.

Despite these steps, however, Kurds have continued to accuse Ankara of colluding with Islamic State to thwart the establishment of an independent Kurdish state across the border in Syria – charges denied by Turkey.

“The current policy of Erdogan is not directed toward security, stability, peace and reconciliation in Turkey, but focused on the war and escalation”, he said.

“The prime minister told President Erdogan that despite all efforts he was unable to form a government that could win a vote of confidence”, the statement said after the 90-minute meeting. However, if the parliament makes the decision for a new election, then the Supreme Election Board can reduce this 90-day period by as much as half.

Of course, Erdogan’s hope is that the PKK’s attacks on government positions will lead to a loss of HDP popularity, and that the party will fail to cross the 10% threshold necessary to qualify for any seats this time. In this regard, we again need ask the will of the people to find the solution, (referring to elections).