Deniz Baykal

Turkey's Republican People's Party (CHP) has nominated its former chair Deniz Baykal as its candidate for the parliamentary speaker's position, while the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has picked Ekmeleddin ?hsano?lu, former head of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

As the new Turkish parliament convenes on June 23, the chances are getting high for the formation of a grand coalition in Turkey, since no party gained the necessary majority to form a single party government in the June 7 election.

?True,? this column admitted as early as eight years ago, ?There are probably a million very good reasons why the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Republican People?s Party (CHP) cannot ally in a ?grand coalition? after July 22 (2007 parliamentary elections.? (?Why a grand coalition is the healthiest option for Turkey,? Hürriyet Daily News, July 13, 2007.)

The new parliament opened yesterday with fresh deputies delivering one by one an oath a few of them will forget about soon. And for the second time in less than a month, Deniz Baykal was back under the camera lights; for a change, he did not need an operation by the embattled sultan. Instead, his old age carried him to the "provisional" speakership of parliament.

Turkey's newly elected deputies are getting down to business after taking their parliamentary oaths in an effort to elect a parliamentary speaker despite the absence of a coalition government.

Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu held a lengthy meeting with Deniz Baykal, the former leader of his party, leading to speculation the CHP could support Baykal in his probable run for the parliament speaker's office. 

New members of the 550-seat Turkish parliament will take their oaths at the first session of the national assembly on June 23.

A very hot political summer is set to begin June 23, when Turkey's new parliament will convene for an oath-taking ceremony, which will be followed by an intense period of bargaining between the four political parties over the formation of a coalition government. 

Turkey's top election body has eventually announced the final results of the June 7 general election, prompting all eyes to turn to the first sitting of the new parliament on the fifth day after the announcement of the results, on June 23.

Deniz Baykal, an Antalya lawmaker from the ranks of the Republican People?s Party (CHP), was hopeful about the ongoing talks for a coalition government.

?The negotiations are continuing, I hope that we will soon reach a consensus to form a government,? Baykal told reporters.