Turkish PM meets opposition MHP leader

By Sinan Uslu

ANKARA

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Monday met the leader of the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) at the Cankaya Palace in Ankara, said a prime ministry source.

Yildirim and Devlet Bahceli compared notes on Turkey's recent foreign affairs issues and planned constitutional change, according to the source who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

The source said the two leaders discussed the Mosul operation, as well as the ongoing Operation Euphrates Shield, and the recent terror incidents in the country.

Yildirim and Bahceli also discussed Turkey's intended constitutional change, the source added.

Constitutional change, in particular, the call for a presidential system, has been on the political agenda since Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the former prime minister and AK Party leader, was elected Turkey's president in August 2014. That election was the first time a Turkish president was directly chosen by popular vote.