MHP Changes Position to Avoid Early Elections

MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli announced at the party's parliamentary group meeting on Monday that it will reverse its position of refusing to work with AKP on the closure amendments. The position stems from an ultimatum MHP delivered to AKP that if the latter intorduced reform of Article 301 to parliament, MHP would refuse cooperation with AKP on the amendments it hopes to pass in order to save itself. However, with the prospects for early elections ripe (see April 23 post), MHP decided to reverse its position so as to avoid an enhanced AKP majority.