With general and presidential elections approaching, political parties on Türkiye's right are actively seeking new alliances and coalition arrangements, though most efforts launched in late 2006 have already collapsed. The stronger prospect now is that non-AKP rightist parties may consolidate before the parliamentary vote, with most players resigned to having little influence over the May presidential election.
Former President Suleyman Demirel remains a central figure in these discussions, drawing visitors from both the True Path Party (DYP) and the Motherland Party (ANAVATAN). Neither party can comfortably clear the 10 percent parliamentary threshold on its own, and former deputies from both believe a joint effort is their best path forward. Former Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz is also reported to harbor political ambitions and may pursue an independent seat from Rize.
The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) is confident it will clear the threshold without difficulty. Smaller rightist parties, including the Felicity Party (SP) and the Grand Unity Party (BBP), poll below the threshold individually but could potentially combine forces to enter parliament. If AKP lawmakers grow disenchanted after May's presidential vote, Türkiye's right could conceivably be represented in parliament under as many as four separate banners.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in February 2007, in its own words.