ISTANBUL
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday reiterated his call to political parties to form a government "as soon as possible" after the June 7 elections produced no single-party majority.
"Turkey can fortify its security and stability with a coalition government formed on the basis of a common language, common targets and a common mind," said Erdogan in his address to 22nd Fiscal General Council of Turkish Exporters' Assembly.
Erdogan warned the parties and politicians against acting like “wet blankets” by highlighting differences instead of commonalities, saying those who do must have an explanation to the public.
"No one has the right to use their position within the post-election framework in an attempt to gridlock the system, rather than undertaking responsibility before the nation,” Erdogan said.
"It is a heavy liability to make Turkey look like a country where a government cannot be formed.”
Erdogan urged parties to put their egos aside and cooperate.
“If politicians fail to resolve this issue, the sole reference point to resolve it is the nation,” he said, referring to the possibility of a re-election if a government does not take shape within 45 days of the president’s demand.
In his remarks, Erdogan also slammed those who called on him to act in accordance with the constitution.
"I know my position within the constitution; I spent 40 years of my life acting in accordance with the constitution. Whatever duty or authority the constitution grants me, I know how to use this power very well. I do not need instructions from anyone," he said.
According to the official results of the June 7 general election, the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party has 258 MPs elected to the Turkish parliament.
The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has 132 seats, followed by the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) each with 80.
In order to form a government, any coalition needs to have 276 MPs' support -- a simple majority in a 550-seated parliament.
