AK Party-MHP alliance leading election polls by far, says Erdoğan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sunday said that the “People’s Alliance,” an electoral alliance made up of the leading Justice and Development (AK) Party and opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), was far ahead leading the election polls, before heading for Uzbekistan on a three-day official visit.

Parliament last Friday passed a bill calling for early elections on June 24, cementing Turkey’s move from a parliamentary to a presidential system.

Under the changes, the number of lawmakers in parliament rises from 550 to 600, presidential and parliamentary elections will be held every five years, and presidents can retain ties to their political party. The prime minister post is also abolished.