Opposition favors early election instead of regime change

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) have said they will support an early election instead of initiating a "regime change" after the ruling Justice and Development Party and opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) said an early election would be held if a contentious charter package is not approved by parliament. 

"Instead of attempting such a regime change today, we as the CHP give full support for a decision of an early election that will be taken this evening," CHP group deputy chairperson Özgür Özel said during discussions on the articles of the constitutional amendment in parliament in a late-night session on Jan. 12. 

Stating that he was speaking on behalf of CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Özel said: "Bring it on."

His comments came after MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli and AKP MP Mustafa Şentop said early elections would be required if charter changes were not passed by the parliament.

"If [the constitutional amendment proposal is not passed in parliament], the legislature will be unable to work and grounds for parliament to work will be sought, meaning the will of the public will be solicited," Bahçeli told reporters on Jan. 11. 

Reiterating Bahçeli's comments, Şentop also said the early elections would be necessitated in the event there is no referendum on the articles.

"If the text is not passed by the general assembly, then let's say that nobody wants an election but that Turkey would be obliged to go to an election," Şentop said Jan. 12. 

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