Turkey’s Elections: A Short-Lived Parliament Anyway‪?‬

Following Turkey’s June 7 elections, there seems to be two alternative scenarios for Turkey. Either two or more of the parties will reach an understanding to form a coalition, or one of the parties will split and choose to be a coalition partner in some combination with the rest. Formation of a coalition would have several virtues beyond just providing the country with a government, but forming a coalition presents serious challenges. Turkey is at a junction, choosing between remaining a procedural, majoritarian, and weakly institutionalized, even illiberal, democracy or renewing its social contract and democratic system for good.