Turkish PM sends notice to opposition deputies for interim gov't posts

Having begun working to form an interim government that will act until snap elections scheduled for Nov. 1, Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu has eventually sent letters of proposals to deputies of opposition parties, asking them to take part in the government.

The number of members to be taken from each party group is determined by the parliament speaker and a related chart is sent to Davuto?lu. Accordingly, except the prime minister and the ministers of justice, internal affairs, and transportation, who are independent individuals appointed from within or outside the parliament, Davuto?lu?s Justice and Development Party (AKP) will hold 11 cabinet posts, the Republican People?s Party (CHP) five posts and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Peoples? Democratic Party (HDP) three posts each.

Letters signed by Davuto?lu were sent to the offices of opposition deputies at parliament on Aug. 26, with a deadline to accept or decline their new posts at latest by 6 p.m. of Aug. 27. The CHP and MHP have both categorically ruled out holding posts in the interim government for their deputies, indicating that a counter move any individual would be subject to disciplinary measures. The HDP, however, said it would accept offers no matter the portfolio the proposals include.

Posts have been offered to Istanbul?s CHP deputies of Erdo?an Toprak and ?lhan Kesici, along with CHP?s Antalya deputy Deniz Baykal and Ankara?s Ay?e Gülsün Bilgehan Toker and Tekin Bingöl. Offers have also been sent to the MHP?s ?zmir deputy Kenan Tanr?kulu and Ankara deputy Tu?rul Türke?, while HDP?s Istanbul deputy Levent Tüzel, ?zmir deputy Müslüm Do?an and Kocaeli deputy Ali Haydar Konca also received invitations.