New Turkish Parliament expected to convene next week

The newly elected parliament is expected to convene on August 3rd after officials results are announced from Sunday’s (July 22nd) general elections, won by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). The first task of the new assembly, after electing its speaker by secret balloting, will be to nominate candidates for president of the country.On Monday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan submitted the cabinet’s formal resignation to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, who will now ask Erdogan to form the next cabinet. After the meeting, Erdogan told reporters that the government’s main concern will be maintaining economic and political stability.

In Brussels on Monday, the EU urged Turkey to speed up the political and economic reforms that would bring it closer to membership. Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn also praised Ankara for holding free and fair elections.