AKP, CHP differ on five key items for coalition

Talks between the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Republican People's Party (CHP) on a possible grand coalition have ended, with the parties far apart on five key issues, particularly Syria and Turkey's foreign policy.

The pair, however, was also divided on education, social policies, presidential powers and the Kurdish question. 

The delegations from the AKP and the CHP met for the last time on Aug. 3 in Ankara before submitting reports to their leaders, Ahmet Davuto?lu and Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu, respectively, outlining issues on which the two parties' policies overlap and differ. 

The leaders will then decide whether to launch genuine negotiations aimed at forming a grand coalition, as the total number of their seats exceed the two-third majority required to amend the constitution.  

"We did our job," said CHP deputy leader and spokesperson Haluk Koç. "Afterwards, it's up to Mr. Ahmet Davuto?lu and his ruling party to make a decision, as he was given the mandate to form a government," Koç added. "In this frame, we will make our assessment if there is a demand [from the AKP] for a meeting with the CHP."

Koç said the report they would submit to K?l?çdaro?lu would be neither positive nor negative but would instead contain findings on the main political issues. "There are serious, fundamental differences on some issues but there are also issues we have similar views on. These will be reported to the leaders."

Culture Minister Ömer Çelik had similar comments. Çelik, who led the AKP delegation, said the exploratory talks had been completed by going through all issues. "In the end, the decision will be given by our chairman and the necessary bodies of our party. If they come to the conclusion that these...