Turkish opposition parties comment on early elections

ANKARA

Turkish opposition parties commented on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's announcement on Wednesday regarding the planned early election on June 24.

Republican People's Party (CHP) spokesman Bulent Tezcan, speaking at his party headquarters, said they were ready for an election and accepted the challenge.

"As CHP we are ready for elections. We are ready as if it would be even held tomorrow," Tezcan said.

The Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) spokesman Ayhan Bilgen, said there were no reasonable grounds for elections to take place as soon as possible.

He added that the HDP was ready for elections at any date.

The head of the IYI Party Meral Aksener also said that her party had no reservations about the potentially upcoming elections.

"IYI Party is the most ready party for the elections," she added.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier Wednesday announced plans to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on June 24, over a year before they had been scheduled to take place, in November 2019.

The announcement came after Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) head Devlet Bahceli -- whose party is set to enter elections in an alliance with the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party -- called for early elections.

*Kaan Bozdogan contributed to this report from Istanbul.