Turkish Prime Minister Mr Bulent Ecevit today ruled out resigning as a way to prevent parliament voting for early elections he says would damage Turkey and its fragile economy.
"No, I will not," Mr Ecevit told reporters in parliament when asked about speculation he would use his resignation as a way of blocking parliament and postponing elections from the November 3rd date his nationalist coalition allies want.
Turkey's parliament was meeting to set the date for early elections, despite Mr Ecevit's repeated warnings that polls could throw the crisis-hit country into more turmoil.
The 77-year-old leader agreed with his two coalition partners earlier this month to hold snap polls. But he has since insisted general elections on November 3rd could damage the economy, impede a European Union-inspired reform effort and bring pro-Islamist and Kurdish parties to power.
Mr Ecevit's backtracking has unnerved financial markets that welcomed elections as a way out of political paralysis, brought on by his illness and government infighting in his absence over steps Turkey must take to launch EU entry talks.