Opposition Party To Deliver Its Decision Over Presidential Vote Thursday

ANKARA - Turkey`s opposition Motherland Party will deliver its decision Thursday on whether to support Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul in his bid for Turkey`s presidency, party leader Erkan Mumcu said.
Gul was seeking support from the Motherland and the True Path after the main opposition Republican People`s Party (CHP) said it would boycott the parliamentary vote to deny the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) a quorum of 367 lawmakers, which it argued is necessary to proceed with the first round of the elections.
Mumcu said he would receive opinions of his party members and meet with his parliamentary group before the Motherland delivered its decision. Mumcu also said he would consult with True Path leader Mehmet Agar.
CHP has threatened the ruling AKP with applying to the Constitutional Court to cancel the presidential vote in case the first round of the vote was held without 367 lawmakers, a move that could lead to early general elections.
The AKP has said a quorum of 184 is sufficient to press ahead with the voting.