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Turkish PM Davutoglu holds coalition talks as new elections loom

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Turkish Prime Minister and leader of Justice and Development Party (AKP) Ahmet Davutoglu, right, talks with the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu, prior to their meeting regarding possible coalition government between the two parties, in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015. Davutoglu's Islamic-rooting ruling party lost its majority in elections in June, forcing it to seek a coalition alliance to remain in power. But many in the ruling party favor new elections instead, and prospects for an alliance look dim and elections are likely to be called if no government is formed by the end of next week. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

Turkish Prime Minister and leader of Justice and Development Party (AKP) Ahmet Davutoglu, left, shakes hands with the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu, left, prior to their meeting regarding possible coalition government between the two parties, in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015. Davutoglu's Islamic-rooting ruling party lost its majority in elections in June, forcing it to seek a coalition alliance to remain in power. But many in the ruling party favor new elections instead, and prospects for an alliance look dim and elections are likely to be called if no government is formed by the end of next week. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is set to meet Turkey's pro-secular party leader to decide whether their ideologically opposed parties can form a coalition government. Prospects looked dim, however, raising expectations for new elections.

Davutoglu's ruling party lost its majority in elections in June, forcing it to seek a coalition alliance. Elections will be called if no government is formed by end of next week.

The talks Thursday come amid a sharp surge of violence, mounting pressure on Davutoglu to build a strong coalition government. Turkey is also more actively engaged in a U.S.-led campaign against the Islamic State group.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who founded the ruling party and remains influential, is reported to favor new elections in the hopes that the party can win back its majority.