Turkey's early elections 'decidedly possible': PM

Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu (L) shakes hands with main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu during a meeting as part of their coalition talks in Ankara, Turkey, August 13, 2015.[Photo/Agencies]

ANKARA - Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has reached a dead end regarding forming a coalition government, acting Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Thursday, hinting that an early election is decidedly possible.

"We see no common ground for a coalition partnership. Early elections are a highly likely possibility," Davutoglu said at a press conference, following his meeting with CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu regarding the coalition government talks Thursday.

Differences between the two parties cover several issues, especially foreign and education policies, he stated.

As a consequence to "strong differences of opinion," the AKP proposed a short-term reform government until the early elections,

over a long-term coalition government, Davutoglu said. However, the CHP preferred a long-term coalition government, hence the two parties reached an impasse, he stated.

The prime minister added they would also contact the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). However, the MHP previously stated their unwillingness to partner with a coalition government which includes the ruling AKP.

Ahmet Davutoglu, AKP leader and acting prime minister, was officially tasked by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on July 9, to start negotiation rounds with other political parties.

The Turkish president may call for snap elections if no parties agree on a workable coalition deal within 45 days, ending on August 23.

No single party won the Parliamentary majority to form a single-party government in the June 7 national elections.