Bahceli urges political compromise after local elections

Speaking to reporters about the weekend local election results, opposition National Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli yesterday said that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) should learn from the results and be more conciliatory in the future. "The MHP came out stronger from the elections by winning more votes nationwide and securing more municipalities across Turkey," he said. "The AK Party's national vote dropped considerably. Starting with the ruling party, all political parties should look closely at these results, and in the days to come politics in Turkey to come should be guided by compromise, consensus and mutual respect." In related news, top business figures called on the ruling and opposition parties to leave their campaigning behind and to focus on the economy and the EU accession process.