ANKARA, Turkey – An opposition legislator says Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan "is open to" all possible coalition options, including a partnership which would exclude the ruling party that he founded.
Deniz Baykal, of the main opposition Republican People's Party, was speaking to reporters Wednesday after a meeting with Erdogan. As the oldest elected legislator, Baykal is expected to head the new parliament until a new speaker is elected.
The ruling Justice and Development Party lost its parliamentary majority in Sunday's elections, forcing it to seek a coalition partnership or a fragile minority government with other parties' support. Early elections loom if no deal is reached.
Baykal says that Erdogan hoped that the political uncertainty is quickly overcome.
The result was a rebuke to Erdogan who had campaigned for a ruling party victory.