The parliamentary bloc of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) has decided to present incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as the party's candidate in the presidential elections scheduled for May 14.
This came during a closed meeting held by the bloc on Thursday at the headquarters of the Turkish parliament in the capital, Ankara.
"In accordance with Article 101 of the Constitution and Article 8 of the Presidential Election Law, we present the head of the Justice and Development Party, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as the party's candidate in the presidential elections to be held on May 14," the text of the decision reads.
Lawmakers attending the meeting signed the petition for Erdogan's candidacy for the presidency.
Also, the MHP parliamentary bloc decided, in a closed-door meeting in the capital, Ankara, to present Erdogan as a candidate in the presidential elections.
MHP deputies attending the meeting signed a petition for Erdogan's candidacy for the presidency.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, MHP deputy head Arkan Akcai expressed hope that the decision they took would bring good to the people and the country.
The nationalist movement is an ally of Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) as part of the People's Alliance.
It is noteworthy that the Supreme Election Commission in Turkey officially announced the holding of the first round of the presidential elections in the country on May 14, and set the 28th of the same month as the date for the second round in the event that the first round is not decided.