AKP Critiques Photo of Opposition Alliance, Saying Numbers Show Weakness, Risks

LOCAL NEWS

• AKP criticises the photo of six opposition members as part of the Nation’s Alliance, saying their numbers shows weakness in their inability to defeat Erdogan on their own.
  • Also argue that the disparate beliefs of the opposition will inevitably cause infighting over any final plans and push voters towards the AKP. The photo was released after a 6 party meeting over the re-implementation of the parliamentary system, should Erdogan lose the upcoming election – Duvar
• Health, housing, transportation and food and beverage sectors are also asking for a VAT reduction after Govt said shopkeepers must reduce VAT on food immediately from 8% to 1%. – Dunya
• Senior officials from Greece & Turkey to hold the 64th round of exploratory talks on 22 Feb amid tensions over demilitarised islands. Both sides continue to blame each other for tensions in the Aegean and inflammatory rhetoric – Hurriyet Daily

Data:

• 0700GMT: Jan Home Sales, 226.5k prior
• 0700GMT: Jan Home Sales y/y, 113.7% prior
• 0700GMT: Jan Consumer Confidence, 73.2 prior