Erdogan facing government challenge

Turkey’s ruling party has been left with few options for a new government after it was stripped of its parliamentary majority and opposition parties ruled out joining it in a coalition pact.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s AKP party won around 41% of the votes in yesterday’s election and was projected to take 258 seats – 18 below the minimum required to rule alone.

The result was a stunning rebuke to Mr Erdogan’s ambitions to expand his powers in a new presidential system.

All three opposition parties have spoken out against a coalition with the AKP after Mr Erdogan led a fierce and confrontational campaign in favour of the party, brushing aside his constitutional neutrality.

Turkey has 45 days in which to form a new government after final official results are confirmed.