No early election after slim referendum win for Erdogan
Turkey’s government will focus on restoring political stability and stimulating growth, deputy prime minister says
Ankara — Turkey will not call early elections to speed up the transfer of power to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the nation’s deputy prime minister, Mehmet Simsek, said after a narrow referendum that drew criticism from the EU. Simsek said the government would focus on restoring political stability and stimulating growth after voters approved a shift from a parliamentary-led system to an executive presidency. The comments quelled speculation that the ruling AK party would hold a snap election, providing respite to an economy that has suffered from years of political turmoil. Erdogan had made it "very clear" on Monday the next elections would be held in November 2019 and that there would be "a period of adjustment, a period of transition", Simsek said. "So… [early] elections are not on the agenda." One of the reasons foreign investors have fled Turkey in recent years is the lack of political stability. Five national elections in just three years have damaged confidence in an econom...
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