Turkish Parliament Speaker election, June–July

With less than 10 days until the expiration of the 45-day deadline for the formation of a government, Turkey?s two biggest parties, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Republican People?s Party (CHP), announced their failure in reaching a deal on a government. 

The Turkish Lira continued to plunge to record lows on Aug. 14, as the country braces for new elections after failed coalition talks between the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Republican People's Party (CHP) amid escalating clashes with Kurdish militants and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). 

A senior government official has dismissed claims that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) are holding talks in an effort to form a coalition. 

?I had two meetings with MHP deputy leader Semih Yalç?n. But these were not coalition talks,? Labor Minister Faruk Çelik said in an interview with Habertürk TV on Aug 5. 

Although the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is continuing talks with the social democrat Republican People's Party (CHP) for a coalition government, AKP leader Ahmet Davuto?lu revealed that they were also in close contact with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). 

Citing a coalition government as the healthiest option which would offer a way out of the grave problems Turkey is currently facing, Republican People?s Party (CHP) leader Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu has nonetheless acknowledged an early election is more likely, despite ongoing efforts to form a coalition government.

The first round of coalition talks has clearly shown the Republican People's Party (CHP) was eager to join the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in a coalition government, while the two other opposition parties, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), have voiced their reluctance. 

The first contact in Turkey?s official coalition talks took place on July 13 as Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu and his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) team visited Republican People?s Party (CHP) head Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu at the latter?s party headquarters.

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has stripped one of its deputy parliamentary group chairs of his post days after controversial remarks in which he intimated that the public views the Republican People?s Party (CHP) as ?irreligious and non-believing.? 

Yusuf Halaço?lu, a spokesman for the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) in the Turkish Parliament, has said that he never said the social democratic Republican People?s Party (CHP) was ?irreligious and non-believing? during a telephone interview with the Hürriyet Daily News on July 8.

With President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an repeatedly declaring he will give the mandate to form a new government only after parliament establishes its board, the new assembly's related body has not been able agree to the makeup of the board, delaying the procedure to kick off coalition talks by at least two days.