Turkey opposition party names candidate for top MP post

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's opposition People's Democratic Party (HDP) on Friday nominated Serpil Kemalbay Pekgozegu as its candidate for parliament speaker.

Pekgozegu, a lawmaker from the western province of Izmir, submitted her petition for candidacy to Interim Speaker Celal Adan.

HDP has 65 chairs in the 600-seat parliament.

Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party has chosen Deputy Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop as its candidate for the speaker's post.

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) nominated their deputy group chair Engin Altay.

AK Party Istanbul mayoral candidate Binali Yildirim stepped down this week ahead of Sunday’s speaker election.

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the AK Party’s parliamentary and election ally, has already announced that it will support the AK Party candidate.

In the first two rounds of Sunday’s election, at least 401 out of 600 deputies' votes are needed to win the speaker post.

In a third round, if necessary, only 301 votes are needed, and in a possible fourth round, a simple majority suffices to win.