Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Euro2day :: Turkish party leader stays despite loss

"Turkish party leader stays despite loss

By Vincent Boland in Ankara
Published: 24/7/2007 | Last Updated: 24/7/2007 17:05 London Time

The leader of Turkey's main secular opposition party said on Tuesday he would not resign despite the party's losses in a parliamentary election and accusations that he was unpopular, aloof and out of touch with a young electorate.

Deniz Baykal, head of the Republican People's party (CHP), emerged from 36 hours of self-imposed silence and speculation about his future to dismiss calls for his resignation. He insisted the party was needed more than ever in a parliament dominated by the centre-right, pro-business AKP government, which has its roots in political Islam."

More:Euro2day :: Turkish party leader stays despite loss