The ruling AK Party is aiming for a record number of female lawmakers, up from 34 currently in parliament, with the number of candidates vying for nomination
Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party is taking measures to increase the number of female deputies in its parliamentarian bloc during the upcoming June 24 elections.
AK Party is aiming for a record number of female lawmakers, up from 34 currently in parliament, with the number of candidates vying for nomination reaching 7,220 as the deadline to run expired at 16:00 p.m. local time on Wednesday.
The ruling party is planning to provide opportunities to more women politicians, especially in southeastern Anatolia, compared to previous elections.
Work is underway to give women priority during the selection process of AK party candidates as the most qualified candidates are set be chosen from a pool of female politicians who AK Party expect to be elected following the upcoming campaigns.
Last month, parliament passed a bill calling for early elections on June 24, cementing Turkey’s move to a presidential system.
In an April 2017 referendum, Turkish voters approved the switching from a parliamentary system to a presidential one.
Under the changes, the number of lawmakers in parliament rises to 600 from 550, presidential and parliamentary elections are held every five years, and presidents can retain ties to their political party. The prime minister post is also abolished.
