Turkey to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on May 14

 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered on Friday to launch preparations for the presidential and parliamentary elections, which are slated for May 14.

The Turkish leader inked a corresponding decree in the Presidential Palace and the ceremony of the document’s signing was broadcast live by national television channels.

"I have signed a decree announcing the date of May 14 for the presidential and parliamentary elections. Preparations for the vote will begin as soon as this decision is published in the official newspaper on March 11," Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated.

The Turkish president added that "as soon as the publication is released the Central Election Commission of Turkey would start working on a two-week calendar of elections."

Erdogan also said that the elections had been initially scheduled to be held on June 18 this year, but "in line with his authority vested in Article 116 of the Constitution he decided to reschedule the voting to the date of May 14."