Turkey Heading for New Elections

After weeks of fruitless coalition talks, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has formally given up trying to form the next government, paving the way for new elections, just months after June’s elections.

According to the President’s office, the prime minister has returned the mandate he received from President Erdogan in July, giving him permission to hold coalition talks with opposition parties.

The mandate for talks came with a deadline of August 23rd to form a new government. With all possibilities now exhausted, Turkey is facing snap new elections and entering uncharted political territory.

The elections should be held 90 days after they are called, meaning that Sunday, November 22nd would be a possibility, if President Erdogan calls elections shortly after  the August 23rd deadline

According to the constitution, the AK Party will be able to continue as a minority government until elections, if a majority of parliament votes in favour of holding early elections.

However, if, Erdogan uses his right to call the polls himself, a so-called “election government” will be formed until the polls, consisting of members from all four parties represented in parliament.

It would be the first time in Turkey’s political history that the largest party has failed to form a coalition and repeat elections need to be held.

• Pray for Turkey at this time of political uncertainty.
• Pray for the Government of Turkey, to make wise and right decisions for the country and to find a way forward for good government.
• Pray for peaceful resolution to the political impasse that is preventing the formation of a coalition.
• Pray also for peaceful resolution to the conflict with the Kurds, for Turkey to be willing to talk with them and seek reconciliation and a way to work together.

1 Timothy 2 vs 1 – 2: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings should be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity“

Source: http://www.aljazeera.com/news