Wave of Resignations Imperils Erdoğan’s Parliamentary Majority
Recent polls and rising dissent in his own party spell trouble for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, whose eroding support could lose him his majority in parliament.
"[On September 4,] the AKP Central Executive Committee announced it was starting proceedings to expel Davutoğlu and his allies Selçuk Özdağ, Ayhan Sefer Üstün and Abdullah Başçı, all formerly senior members of the ruling party. The four responded by resigning from the party last week, with Davutoğlu stating that the move to expel them targeted the AKP’s founding principles.This triggered a flood of resignations, including dozens of members who had held important positions in previous governments: former parliamentary deputies, district and municipal mayors, councillors and organisation heads."
"Davutoğlu is not the only focal point to which dissenting AKP members are gravitating. Ali Babacan, a former deputy prime minister who earned plaudits for his work running Turkey’s economy before being sidelined in 2015, resigned from the party in July, and said in an interview last week that he planned to launch a new political movement by the year’s end. Babacan is joined by a cadre of former party bigwigs, including former Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin, former Deputy Prime Minister Beşir Atalay. Abdullah Gül, a former president who is frequently touted as a potential rival to Erdoğan, has reportedly lent his support to Babacan in an unofficial capacity."
"Some sources say that as many as 80 AKP deputies are preparing to jump ship. If so, the AKP’s share of the 600-seat parliament would be reduced to 211, and the ruling coalition’s current 41-seat majority would be lost, leaving the ruling party unable to pass laws through parliament."
"Turkish political circles say the danger the new parties pose to the AKP’s parliamentary majority could spur a snap election, if Erdoğan believes he could get away with a vote before the parties are formed. This would further consolidate MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli’s hold over the president."