Turkey’s state of emergency may end in mid-July: PM
ERZİNCAN
Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım has said the state of emergency in Turkey may end in mid-July, after the snap elections scheduled on June 24.
“[The state of emergency] may be over on July 17 or 18. I think it will not be extended for another time,” said Yıldırım in an interview with state-run broadcaster TRT Haber on June 14.
Turkey declared a state of emergency on July 20, 2016, five days after a military coup attempt that left 250 people dead and nearly 2,200 injured.
On April 18 this year, the government extended the ongoing state of emergency for three months for the seventh time.
Earlier this month, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the government may discontinue the state of emergency after the upcoming elections.
Speaking during a special live broadcast on private broadcaster CNN Türk, Erdoğan said the government will discuss the matter and make necessary assessments to lift the state of emergency.
“The state of emergency could possibly be discussed and lifted after the elections,” he said.
Yıldırım: I’ve made history as Turkey’s last PM
Meanwhile, Yıldırım also said he “made history” with his political career, hoping to mark its end by becoming Turkey’s “last prime minister” as the country switches to a presidential system.
“With love and respect, I salute you from my father’s home as the last prime minister of Turkey,” Yıldırım told his supporters early June 15 in front of a mosque in his hometown, the Kayı village of the eastern province of Erzincan.
Yıldırım participated in morning prayers for the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr at Merkez Mosque, after which he spoke to supporters.
“Turkey has been surrounded by a ring of fire. Their goal is to dynamite our union and solidarity. They want to sow seeds of hostility and discord among our citizens,” he said, referring to an armed clash that killed four during an election tour of a delegation from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the southeastern Turkish province of Şanlıurfa on June 14.
“I was a minister for 12 years before I became prime minister. Perhaps two years of being the prime minister is not that long, but I’ve already made history as it was a term that will long be talked about,” he added.
Four killed in armed clash amid election tour in southeast Turkey
