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23 May, 2018 13:57

Turkey’s Erdogan picks prominent ministers for parliament race to boost AKP chances

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has picked prominent ministers to run for parliament next month, strengthening the ruling AK Party’s chances of winning a majority. The move, however, calls the ministers’ future roles in government into question. Cabinet members including the energy, defense, foreign and interior ministers were named this week by the party to run for parliament in the June 24 poll, where the Islamist-rooted AK Party faces a stiff challenge from an opposition alliance. Lawmakers will not be able to hold ministerial posts under the new presidential system, unless they resign their seats. The latest fall in the lira, which has lost more than a fifth of its value against the dollar this year, could also work against Erdogan if voters fear the government is pushing prices and the cost of living higher, Reuters said.