Turkey: Ex-opposition deputy joins ruling AK Party

Tamer Akkal resigned from opposition Good Party last week, saying it was 'impossible' for him to remain member

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - An opposition Turkish lawmaker on Tuesday jumped ship to the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party.

Tamer Akkal from the western Manisa province had quit the opposition Good (IYI) Party last week, saying it was "impossible" for him to be associated with it anymore.

President and AK Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan formally inducted Akkal into the party during its parliamentary group meeting Tuesday.

Akkal's resignation came in protest of what he saw as the IYI Party courting electoral support from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), known for its links to the PKK terror group, after the HDP declined to name any mayoral candidates for several large cities for the March 31 local elections.

In the 600-seat parliament, following Akkal's move, the AK Party holds 291 seats and IYI Party 39.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- recognized as a terrorist group by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people.

Kaynak:

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