Turkish PM to meet opposition CHP, MHP leaders

By Ilhan Toprak

ANKARA (AA) - Prime Minister Binali Yildirim will meet the leaders of two of Turkey’s opposition parties – the Republican People's Party (CHP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) – at the Cankaya Palace Monday, their second meeting at Yildirim’s official residence since the July 15 defeated coup.

According to Prime Ministry sources, the "consultation meeting" will take place at the Cankaya Palace at 10.00 local time (0700GMT), in an effort to continue the "spirit of unity" of the massive pro-democracy rally in Istanbul earlier this month.

The leaders will discuss the attempted coup, the fight against terrorism, and planned constitutional changes, said the sources, speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking with the media.

On Aug. 7, millions of people gathered in Istanbul's Yenikapi Square in a spectacular display of unity that brought ruling and opposition party leaders together, in a first in modern Turkey history. The massive Democracy and Martyrs’ Rally was the first time the leaders of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, CHP, and MHP as well as the chief of General Staff shared a platform. Former President Abdullah Gul and former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu were also in attendance.

On July 19, the prime minister met with CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu and MHP leader Devlet Bahceli separately at the Cankaya Palace. Later, on Aug. 1, Yildirim met Kilicdaroglu at CHP headquarters and Bahceli at parliament to discuss the decree laws passed under the three-month state of emergency declared following the foiled coup.