Is there anything wrong with going to the polls again?

The Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Republican People's Party (CHP) are making a good effort to try to find some common ground to forge a coalition and run the country together. The sides are saying their discussions have been frank and cordial which in diplomatic language means they agree to differ on various issues and thus try to find common ground despite this. It also means old antagonists are trying to overcome the psychological hurdles of past enmities and this is not easy.

It is true that the newly elected parliamentarians do not want renewed elections after going through a tough ordeal to get elected. Thus they will try to avoid elections but this is easier said than done.

It is clear despite denying this the CHP deputies and especially the party leadership is eager to forge some kind of a coalition government with the AK Party and come to power even if it means playing second fiddle.

The AK Party is trying to keep a brave face due to the fact that it could not win enough seats to win a parliamentary majority and continue its dominance in government. This means while they keep their options open for a coalition government they feel more inclined to hold new elections and create a more manageable situation in Parliament.

The greatest obstacle for a coalition is not the differences between the two parties on fundamental political, economic and social issues despite the fact that they do exist and are very serious. The main obstacle is the old enmities that are not easy to die.

The AK Party is used to running the country single-handedly and it is hard for them to come to terms with sharing power and having to consult with their partners when taking a decision. They are used to shortcuts and bypassing the legislative process, now they will not be able to do this.

The CHP on the other hand has based all its policies on getting rid of the AK Party at all costs hence the enmity and antagonism. Now the CHP has to overcome the psychological barriers of trying to prevent a government that includes the AK Party and actually become partners to run the country.

The elections campaign was run by the opposition parties led by the CHP to halt the AK Party at all costs. The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) ganged up with the CHP and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) joined forces with them to stall the AK Party. They did but then they did not have the means to forge their own coalition and push the AK Party to a main opposition role.

So at the end of the day everyone came to realize that there can be no coalition in Turkey without the AK Party and all opposition parties realized that their efforts to stall the former ruling party did not bring them to power and all it did was create instability.

Coalitions are based on sincerity and trust. You cannot forge a coalition with those who are "out to get you." The CHP may claim it is sincere in its aims to set up a coalition with the AK Party but then they have to declare their past statements and accusations are null and void.

It is clear that a there are serious drawbacks for forging a coalition in Turkey in view of the realities. So it is only normal that we should hold new elections as soon as possible. Despite the claims by big businesses that are pushing for an AK Party-CHP coalition, new polls are not the end of the world. Their concerns are more to do with their own pockets than the medium- and long-term interests of the country.