Turkey's Ruling Party Loses Majority

President Tayyip Erdogan's ambition to change Turkey's Constitution to create an executive presidency appears to be unlikely after his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in 13 years on Sunday. With 99 percent of the votes counted, the AKP had 41 percent of the vote while the Republican People's Party (CHP) had 25 percent and the Kurdish HDP crossed the 10 percent threshold to secure seats for the first time, state-run TRT television reported. The shocking outcome signals a blow to Erdogan's plans to rewrite the constitution and expand his presidential powers. The AKP is likely to win 258 seats in parliament, which is 18 fewer than it needs for a majority, and will be forced to form a minority government or enter into a coalition.