Bahçeli says opposition living in a 'fantasy world' amid calls for snap election

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Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chair Devlet Bahçeli, an ally of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), has once again dismissed the opposition's call for a snap election.

"The imposition of a snap election is not the demand of the CHP, İP and HDP but also the pressure and imposition of the circles that are the enemies of the Turks and Turkey," Bahçeli told his party's parliamentary group today (July 13).

Those who want a snap election are "living in a world of fantasy," Bahçeli said and added that they shouldn't be taken seriously.

"The strategy to take down Turkey under the guise of democracy is being advanced in a controlled manner," he said. "John Bolton in the US made his gang in Turkey organize a democracy conference. Who is together with whom has become clear."

John Bolton, who served as US national security advisor under the Trump administration, was involved in the foundation of the "Turkish Democracy Project" group in late June.

Opposition parties have been calling for a snap election over the past few months as the ruling alliance does not seem to have a comfortable lead over the opposition, according to recent polls.

The AKP and the MHP insist that the elections will be held in June 2023 as scheduled.

According to Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), President and AKP Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will definitely lose the next election.

"The Erdoğan era is over. The Erdoğan era has inflicted serious damage. But we, as the individuals who love this country, should act together," Kılıçdaroğlu said at his party's parliamentary group meeting.

"Erdoğan says, 'We won't hand over the country to you.' No, you won't, the nation will hand over the country to us ... We'll build a better Turkey together," said the CHP leader. (AS/VK)