An influential pro-government Turkish newspaper reported that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his nationalist allies have agreed not to extend the state of emergency that has been in place since the failed 2016 coup when the current three-month period expires in July. Sabah's report followed yesterday’s meeting between Erdogan and far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli. The hard-line nationalist leader had earlier aired opposition to any relaxing of emergency rule.
Bahceli wants to be rewarded for his support, which saw Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) win Sunday’s presidential and parliamentary elections and usher in a new executive presidency to replace the parliamentary system. Select Cabinet and other posts may well go to the MHP, although it remains unclear which ones. The Cabinet, which is expected to include two deputy presidents, is supposed to be announced July 8. Bahceli is reportedly pushing for the defense and interior portfolios.
