Turkey snap polls called on Nov 1

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday announced he would call snap elections likely to be held on November 1, after coalition talks failed in an unprecedented political impasse.

Erdogan, who suffered a rare political setback in inconclusive June polls, said he would meet the parliament speaker on Monday to make the arrangements and then formally call the new elections.

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"We will take our country to early elections," Erdogan told reporters after Friday prayers in Istanbul. "God willing, Turkey will have the elections again on November 1."

A deadline for political parties to agree a coalition following the June 7 election runs out on Sunday, with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) failing to form a coalition.

The AKP remained the largest party but lost its overall majority for the first time since it came to power in 2002. Erdogan's comments indicated that he would use his right to call elections as president, rather than using the alternative route of agreeing the new polls through a motion in parliament.

"Can the president call early elections according to the constitution? Yes he can!" said Erdogan.

Opponents have accused Erdogan of seeking the early election all along and meddling in the coalition talks in the hope the AKP will improve on its vote in new polls.