Article

Turkey's AKP Loses Parliamentary Majority

June 9, 2015

On June 7, Turkey’s ruling Islamist party, the Justice and Development Party (AKP), lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in 13 years.

On June 7, Turkey’s ruling Islamist party, the Justice and Development Party (AKP), lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in 13 years. It received around 41 percent of the vote, which will give the party 258 seats in parliament – 18 fewer than it needed for a majority. The vote was widely seen as an indirect referendum on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s leadership. His critics have argued he and the AKP have turned increasingly authoritarian in recent years.

Three major non-Islamist parties trailed the AKP in the polls. The Republican People's Party (CHP) came in second, winning around 132 seats. The right-wing Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) won around 80 seats. And the pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP) won representation in parliament for the first time with 13 percent of the vote, securing around 80 seats. At least 10 percent is required to secure a seat.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu suggested that the AKP would not contest the results, noting that it would “cast doubts on Turkish democracy.” He even claimed that there was “no doubt” the AKP was “the winner of this election,” securing more votes than any other party. But without a majority, the AKP will have to form a minority government or enter a coalition - a major challenge since the CHP, MHP, and HDP have all indicated that they are not interested in partnering with the AKP.

The following are excerpted remarks from the leaders of the AKP and other Turkish parties on the recent elections.

Justice and Development Party (AKP)

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

"Our nation's opinion is above everything else."

"I believe the results, which do not give the opportunity to any party to form a single party government, will be assessed healthily and realistically by every party.”

—June 8, 2015, according to the press

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu

“There is no doubt that AK Party is winner of this election, coming first in 56 provinces and six regions, winning deputies from 76 provinces.”

“It is the 11th election in which we came first. A term of 12-13 years in power is just a beginning for a great and historic march. Greater victories await us. We will never hesitate or be separated from our nation even for an instance.”

Regarding the polls outcome: "What this decision requires will definitely be fulfilled under all circumstances."

"[We] cannot cast doubt on Turkish democracy [by contesting election results]."

“We will make the assessments together to get the message from this election and will resolutely keep on our path.”

“AK Party, backbone of Turkish nation, will be on duty to ensure continuation of state and welfare of homeland.”

“We say: Let's take action for a new constitution based on freedoms and human dignity to prepare the youth for the future.”

He pledged that there would never be a "culture of military coups and tutelage" in Turkey.

—June 8, 2015, according to the AKP website

Deputy Prime Minister Yalçın Akdoğan

“[The] HDP cannot be democratic even [if] they win as many votes as they want. Because they are intolerant and closed to criticism.”

“The HDP can only make the movie of the peace process from now on. Peace does not come by saying 'peace, peace.' If they got 13 percent of the votes, they should call on Kandil [Mountains] and make [the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party] PKK lay [down] arms.”

—June 8, 2015, according to the press