Two more deputies resigned from Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's party on Wednesday, bringing the total number of defectors to 61 and further eroding support for the three-party coalition government.
Ecevit's Democratic Left Party (DSP) lost its majority in parliament on Tuesday with the latest wave of resignations in protest at the Prime Minister's refusal to step down.
Following the resignation of two more DSP deputies on Wednesday, Ecevit's coalition held 273 seats in the 550-member parliament. The ailing Ecevit, aged 77, who had offered to resign if his government lost its majority in parliament, made a U-turn on Tuesday and instead of stepping down, gave in to pressure and called an early election for November 3rd, according to AFP.
The proposal to hold an early election is to be submitted to parliament for its approval. (Albawaba.com)
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