Turkey's main opposition leader says his party got stronger, won 3.5 million supporters

ANKARA (A.A) - 12.06.2011 - The leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) said on Sunday that his party had gained strength and won 3.5 million more supporters as revealed by the preliminary results of today's parliamentary elections. 
Turkish voters went to the polls in the general elections on Sunday to shape the 550-seat parliament. 
With more than 91 percent of votes counted so far, Turkey's ruling Justice & Development (AK) Party showed a strong lead in the elections, getting nearly 50 percent of votes. The country's main opposition party CHP had almost 26 percent of total votes, while Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) had 13.15 percent and independents around 6.09 percent.
Addressing citizens at CHP headquarters in capital Ankara late on Sunday, CHP chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu said, "We wish Justice and Development (AK) Party success, however, they should not forget that CHP is much stronger today".
Kilicdaroglu noted that CHP had won the support of 3.5 million additional voters in a very short time.
"CHP has received its highest vote since the military coup of September 12. We are the only party that has increased the number of its deputies in this election," the chairman added.