Turkey: Nationalist Movement Party expels deputy

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA

Turkey's opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) on Wednesday expelled a parliamentarian representing the Black Sea Samsun province.

Erhan Usta was dismissed for his remarks "damaging the existence and continuation of the People's Alliance" with the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party.

The party's central disciplinary board dismissed Usta by a unanimous vote.

The alliance -- formed last year, ahead of June's general elections -- also includes the much smaller or Great Union Party.

Following the expulsion, the MHP holds 48 seats in the 600-seat parliament.