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Erdogan: Turkey rapidly heading to new elections

After coalition talks fail, president signals he won’t give opposition the chance to form a government

By AP 19 August 2015, 8:32 pm 1 Edit
In this May 30, 2015 photo, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan waves to the crowds in Istanbul, Turkey, during a rally to commemorate the anniversary of city's conquest by the Ottoman Turks. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File)
In this May 30, 2015 photo, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan waves to the crowds in Istanbul, Turkey, during a rally to commemorate the anniversary of city's conquest by the Ottoman Turks. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File)

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has signaled that he won’t give the opposition party’s leader the chance to try his hand at forming a government and said the country was “rapidly” heading toward new elections.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu returned a mandate to form a government Tuesday after his coalition-building efforts failed. Traditionally, other party leaders are given the opportunity.

Erdogan said Wednesday Turkey had no time to lose with those “who don’t even know the address” of his palace. It was a reference to Kemal Kilicdaroglu, whose party has boycotted events at Erdogan’s new 1,150-room palace.

The deadline for a new government ends this week. Erdogan reportedly wants new elections, hoping that the ruling party can win back a majority it lost in elections in June.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.

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