MHP excludes Ak?ener, Türke? on candidate list, Türke? resigns

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) of Turkey has not nominated Deputy Prime Minister Tu?rul Türke?, who was expelled from the party after accepting an offer to join the country?s interim cabinet, and former Deputy Parliament Speaker Meral Ak?ener, when it submitted candidate list for the Nov. 1 snap elections on Sept. 18.

Shortly after delivery of the candidate lists to the Supreme Election Board (YSK), Türke? resigned from his party, raising expectations that he may be nominated on the ticket of the major partner of the interim government, the Justice and Development Party (AKP), as there were still hours left until the deadline to submit candidate lists.

Along with Türke?, AKP leader and Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu also asked Ak?ener to take part in the interim government, but Ak?ener refused.

Shortly after the June 7 parliamentary election and in the run-up to the election of a new parliament speaker by the new assembly, Ak?ener was widely expected to be nominated for the post by her party.

Yet, MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli aggressively refuted such a prospect.

?I never like names being cited this way and I would exclude the one whose name is cited. You should know that she would be excluded if you cite Meral Ak?ener so frequently,? Bahçeli said.

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