Turkish President Erdo?an heads to Baku amid political uncertainty

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an will set off for Baku on June 12 at the invitation of his Azerbaijani counterpart, ?lham Aliyev, to attend the opening of the first European Games.

Erdo?an?s visit to the neighboring country comes at a time when his country has been facing a considerable period of uncertainty after the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) lost parliamentary majority in the June 7 parliamentary election.

In a procedural move, Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu met Erdogan on June 9 and resigned, but will continue as prime minister until a new government is formed. Erdo?an is expected to ask Davuto?lu to form that government once official election results are published, which may not be until next week. 

Observers suggested the June 7 vote led to a period of political turbulence not seen in more than a decade. Some of them argued that political uncertainty will likely remain high for a prolonged period. 

Erdo?an was, meanwhile, set to hold a surprise meeting with Deniz Baykal, the former head of the main opposition Republican People?s Party (CHP), around noon on June 10, before Davuto?lu starts talks for a new government, official sources have told the Hürriyet Daily News.

A brief statement released by Erdo?an?s press office on June 10 noted that the president is expected to hold bilateral talks with leaders attending the opening ceremony in addition to holding a bilateral meeting with Aliyev.

Some 6,000 athletes will compete in the European Games, which is the first major multi-sports event of the continent and will run from June 12 to 28.

The athletes will compete in 20 sports, 16 of which are on the Olympic program and 12 of them offering qualification spots, indirect or direct,...