« Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its far-right ally the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) submitted draft legislation that will lower the share of the vote required to enter parliament to 7 percent from 10 percent, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Monday » says Ahval News.
The AKP is seeking to pass the changes to the election law to benefit the MHP, which is backed by less than 10 percent of the electorate, according to several opinion polls. The MHP winning seats at elections slated for June next year may be key to the AKP retaining control of the assembly.
Turkey’s parliamentary threshold, introduced after a 1980 military coup, is the highest in Europe. The European Union has long called on the country to lower it.
Parliament is expected to discuss the ruling alliance’s draft proposal this week.
The changes to the election law, consisting of 15 articles, are also designed to prevent deputies from switching between political parties.
Ahval News, March 14, 2022, Photo/Ozan Kose/AFP