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Turkey ruling AKP 'loses majority' Turkey ruling AKP 'loses majority' in surprise result
(about 2 hours later)
Turkey's governing AK party appears on course to lose its parliamentary majority, early projections suggest. Turkey's governing AK party is on course to lose its parliamentary majority, early projections suggest.
They also suggest the pro-Kurdish HDP is set to cross the 10% threshold, securing seats for the first time.They also suggest the pro-Kurdish HDP is set to cross the 10% threshold, securing seats for the first time.
With 90% of the vote counted, the AKP had 42% of the vote, according to Turkish TV stations.With 90% of the vote counted, the AKP had 42% of the vote, according to Turkish TV stations.
If confirmed, the result would end the AKP's 13-year single-party rule, and upset President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's plans to boost his office's powers.If confirmed, the result would end the AKP's 13-year single-party rule, and upset President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's plans to boost his office's powers.
President Erdogan, who first came to power as prime minister in 2003, has been seeking a two-thirds majority to turn Turkey into a presidential republic.President Erdogan, who first came to power as prime minister in 2003, has been seeking a two-thirds majority to turn Turkey into a presidential republic.
The BBC's Mark Lowen in Istanbul says Sunday's election was the biggest electoral challenge for the AKP since it came to power, with economic growth stalling. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu appeared to have accepted the results. "The people's decision is the most correct decision," he said while preparing to fly from his hometown of Konya to the capital, Ankara.
According to the TV projections, Mr Erdogan's Justice and Development Party's share of the vote would translate into 263 seats in the 550-seat parliament, followed by the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). The pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP) would get 11.6% - 75 seats. The BBC's Mark Lowen in Istanbul
An unnamed AKP official told Reuters news agency: "We expect a minority government and early election." The AKP has polled worse than it ever feared and lost its majority. President Erdogan will be unable to change the constitution and extend his powers.
As he headed to the capital, Ankara, from his hometown, Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said: "The people's decision is the most correct decision." What a contrast with the HDP! It gambled to run as a single party for the first time, hoping to cross the 10% threshold - and it paid off, gaining a significant voice for the Kurdish minority on the national stage.
HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtas complained as he voted that the election campaign "was not a fair and equal race". Four people died in an explosion at a party rally last Friday. It succeeded by appealing beyond the Kurds, drawing in leftists and staunch Erdogan opponents with its message of equality, gay rights and environmental concerns.
But he added: "Hopefully we will wake up to a new and freer Turkey on 8 June." This could be the start of a new political era here; a major setback for a president who has polarised this nation.
Kemal Kilicdaroglu, chairman of the CHP, echoed Mr Demirtas and called the campaign period "unequal". He promised however to "continue to work with a sense of responsibility".The result may have ramifications beyond Turkey's borders. In a volatile Middle East, Turkey matters greatly - and so the path it takes, the nature of its democracy and the leaders it produces, all have implications far beyond its borders.
The country is a vital Nato member in a volatile Middle East and a rare mix of Islam and democracy, our correspondent says. Sunday's election has produced an extraordinary result and represents a major change in Turkish politics, the BBC's Mark Lowen says.
The party that once seemed unstoppable for 13 years under Mr Erdogan may now struggle to form a government.
Our correspondent says that there is now a subdued and glum atmosphere at the Justice and Development Party (AKP) headquarters in contrast to a sense of jubilation among HDP supporters at news that their party had crossed the threshold to enter parliament for the first time.
"This was a victory of democracy over political corruption... of peace over war," HDP deputy Sirri Sureyya Onder said.
The HDP's leader ruled out a coalition with the AKP on Sunday, pointing out that the election results had put an end to discussions about a presidential system.
"The discussion of executive presidency and dictatorship have come to an end in Turkey with these elections," Selahattin Demirtas told a news conference in Istanbul.
The AKP - 17 seats short of forming a government - must now contemplate either forming a minority government or entering into a coalition.
According to the TV projections, the AKP's share of the vote would translate into 263 seats in the 550-seat parliament, followed by the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).
The HDP is projected to get between 75 to 80 seats after successfully attracting votes beyond its Kurdish support base.
CHP Istanbul Chairman Murat Karayalcin said that results show a clear rejection by voters of Mr Erdogan's drive for greater powers.
"Voters said a clear no to the presidential system," Mr Karayalcin said.