Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may resort to holding early elections in a few months, according to political circles in the country in wake of the opposition gaining strength and his poor handling of the coronavirus outbreak.
Opinion polls have indicated a decline in his popularity, while both opposition parties established by former premier Ahmet Davutoglu and former deputy premier Ali Babacan is increasing.
After leaving the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Davutoglu and Babacan formed their Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Future Party, respectively.
Deputy Head of the Future Party Selcuk Ozdag said Erdogan will push media loyal to him to create a perception that Turkey needs to hold early elections if the coronavirus outbreak recedes worldwide in June or July.
In statements Sunday, Ozdag said Erdogan and his party are aiming to hold elections in November later this year or May 2021.
He cited Erdogan’s dip in popularity and disappointment among the AKP members over the government’s weak performance in handling the coronavirus crisis, which has exacerbated unemployment and inflation and increased poverty.
In contrast to previous polls, voters now have an alternative to the AKP, with Davutoglu and Babacan’s opposition parties.
Pro-Erdogan media predicted that they will receive less than 10 percent of the vote, but Ozdag stressed that they can actually obtain a majority.
Erdogan’s hopes for winning another presidential election have been dashed and even if it forms an alliance with the Nationalist Movement, the AKP will not have a majority in parliament, he added.
Erdogan must now start to think about how he will be held accountable for his actions by the next parliament, Ozdag said.
