International observers praise Turkish elections

The Turkish elections were well-organized, democratic and demostrate
pluralism. However, more liberties are needed, observers of the OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly and the Council of Europe say.

The head of the OSCE PA, Pia Christmas-Moeller (Denmark), said that
Turkey had fulfilled its international obligations.

Kerstin Lundgren (Sweden), head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe, said that the 90% limit for entering parliament is
the highest in Europe.

The observers consisted of 61 MPs from 30 states. They noted that
women need encouragement in attending the elections.

The Justice and Development Party received 49.9% of the vote, followed
by the Republican People's Party with 25.9% and the Nationalist
Movement Party with 12.9%. 85.22% of the population took part in the
elections (50,412,102 people). The JDP received 326 seats, RPP - 136,
NMP - 53. Independent members received 36 seats. All independent
deputies belong to the Peace and Democracy Party.