AKP, MHP propose to reduce election barrier to 7 percent

Source: 
Hurriyet Daily News
Publication date: 
Mar 14 2022

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its main ally, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), have submitted a draft law to the parliament to decrease the election threshold from the current 10 percent to 7 percent.

The 15-article draft law was introduced to the parliament on March 14 by the AKP and the MHP officials. The new electoral law can be applied in the next parliamentary elections slated for June 2023.

“We are proposing to reduce the threshold to 7 percent,” deputy AKP leader Hayati Yazıcı told a press conference at the parliament. Deputy leader of the MHP Feti Yıldız added, “With this proposal, we are aiming to increase the quality of the parliamentary representation of the political parties.” Turkey had been imposing 10 percent electoral threshold since the early 1980s.

As a result of the executive-presidential system, the governing and opposition parties have formed alliances to win the presidential race, which requires at least 50 percent of votes. They also hope to increase their seats at the parliament through the alliances. Under the current picture, the AKP and the MHP, as well as the Great Union Party (BBP), make up the People’s Alliance, while four oppositional parties, namely the Republican People Party (CHP), the İYİ (Good) Party, the Democrat Party and the Felicity Party, comprise the Nation Alliance.

The recently founded Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA) and the Future Party are also acting with the Nation Alliance.

 AKP, MHP propose to reduce election barrier to 7 percent - Turkey News (hurriyetdailynews.com)