Turkish president accepts cabinet resignation

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accepted the government’s resignation in a procedural move following a recent parliamentary election.

“Mr President accepted today the resignation of the cabinet that was presented by Mr Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu,” said a statement released by the presidential office on Tuesday.

During the June 7 parliamentary election, Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since coming to power in 2002.

“Mr President, who thanked the cabinet for its services so far, asked the cabinet to remain in charge until a new government is formed,” the statement noted.

Following a swearing-in ceremony set for June 25, the new parliament members will have to agree on a new cabinet within 45 days, but if they fail, Erdogan has the authority to call fresh elections.

According to Turkish media, AKP took 41 percent of the votes, giving it 258 seats in the country’s 550-seat Grand National Assembly.

Erdogan’s party now has to form a coalition government with one of the three opposition parties, none of which has shown enthusiasm to such a move.

“Nobody has a right to drag Turkey into [AKP] minority and some circles’ scenarios,” said the right-wing Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader.