ANKARA: Turkey’s president formally called a new election on Monday, a day after a deadline passed for forming a new government following an inconclusive vote in June.
A statement released from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s office didn’t say when the new election would be held, but the president has previously said it was likely to take place on Nov. 1.
Erdogan was expected to re-appoint Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to form an interim government during a meeting on Tuesday.
The Islamic-rooted ruling party, which Erdogan founded, lost its parliamentary majority in June for the first time since 2002. Davutoglu’s efforts to form a coalition alliance failed last week, setting the stage for Erdogan to declare repeat elections he is reported to have favored all along.
Turkey faces new elections as it is grappling with a sharp increase in violence between security forces and Kurdish rebels and is more deeply involved in the U.S.-led campaign against Islamic State group extremists.
The Turkish lira has dropped to record lows against the dollar amid the political uncertainty.
