MHP Leader Calls For End To Polarization

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli has called on political leaders to refrain from pursuing policies of polarization.

Bahçeli, who on Thursday visited Ankara's Etimesgut and Polatlı districts, where his party won in the local elections, said: “Turkey is going through a critical period. It is time to end election debates now and give up the politics of tension, this desire to hone the loyalty of one's supporters by encouraging polarization and antagonism.”

He said Turkey is now preparing to hold its first election in which the president will be elected by popular vote. “According to the timeline decided by the Supreme Election Board [YSK], the first election will be on Aug. 10 and the runoff on Aug. 24 [if necessary], and whoever is voted in by our people will take office on Aug. 28.” He also noted that the general elections are scheduled for less than a year after the presidential election, on June 7, 2015.

(Cihan/Today's Zaman)