ISTANBUL: In a stunning election result on June 7 Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) saw a sharp decline in votes, losing its majority in parliament for the first time since it rose to power 13 years ago.
Under Turkey’s proportional representation system, this means the AKP will need to form a coalition for the first time since coming to power in 2002.
In another sensational result that shakes-up Turkey’s political landscape, the pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic party (HDP) easily surpassed the 10% barrier needed to send MPs to parliament.
Another record was set by the number of women MPs set to take a seat in parliament after an unofficial tally estimated a total of 96 female parliamentarians securing a place in the Turkish Grand National Assembly – a record high and up from 79 in 2011.
