Third AK Party victory wins more votes, but falls short of supermajority

In yesterday's parliamentary elections, the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party boosted its votes 5 percent compared to the last general elections in 2007, but it won fewer deputies this time, 326, down from 341. The AK Party, planning a new constitution and a possible presidential system, was unable to capture the 330 supermajority needed for it to pass these changes without support from other parties in Parliament. The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), which in 2007 formed an election alliance with the Democratic Left Party (DSP), won 5 percent more votes than in the last election, but this rise was lower than expected. The CHP won 135 seats, up from 112.