This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6613805.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Turkey PM to ask for early poll Turkey PM to ask for early poll
(about 2 hours later)
Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he will ask parliament to approve an early general election when it meets on Wednesday.Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he will ask parliament to approve an early general election when it meets on Wednesday.
He also said he would ask for a change in the constitution to allow the president to be chosen by the people. He also wants a change in the constitution to allow the president to be chosen by the people, not by MPs.
Mr Erdogan was speaking after Turkey's constitutional court annulled last Friday's vote to elect a new president.Mr Erdogan was speaking after Turkey's constitutional court annulled last Friday's vote to elect a new president.
Secularist opposition parties had challenged the vote in court to prevent the foreign minister from winning.Secularist opposition parties had challenged the vote in court to prevent the foreign minister from winning.
The parties accuse Abdullah Gul of having a hidden Islamist agenda and say his election would threaten Turkey's secular tradition. The parties accuse Abdullah Gul of having a hidden Islamist agenda and say that if he became president it would threaten Turkey's secular tradition.
Mr Erdogan, the leader of the AK party, which has Islamist roots and had put forward Mr Gul as its candidate, said the new election could be held as soon as 24 June. Mr Erdogan, the leader of the AK party, which has Islamist roots and had put forward Mr Gul as its candidate, said a new general election could be held as soon as 24 June.
The polls are currently scheduled for 4 November.The polls are currently scheduled for 4 November.
Army roleArmy role
Mr Erdogan announced a package of reform proposals that included reducing the term of parliament from five years to four.Mr Erdogan announced a package of reform proposals that included reducing the term of parliament from five years to four.
He would also push for a five-year presidency rather than seven, allowing for the possibility of serving two terms rather than just one.He would also push for a five-year presidency rather than seven, allowing for the possibility of serving two terms rather than just one.
Mr Erdogan said a new timetable for the annulled presidential vote would be set out on Wednesday.Mr Erdogan said a new timetable for the annulled presidential vote would be set out on Wednesday.
Media reports said AK, which has a strong parliamentary majority, would propose the first round be held this Thursday.Media reports said AK, which has a strong parliamentary majority, would propose the first round be held this Thursday.
The court ruled there was not a quorum for Friday's voteAnalysts say Mr Erdogan's election move is an attempt to create a fresh mandate to end a crisis that has tested Turkey's secularism and hit the stock markets.The court ruled there was not a quorum for Friday's voteAnalysts say Mr Erdogan's election move is an attempt to create a fresh mandate to end a crisis that has tested Turkey's secularism and hit the stock markets.
Mr Erdogan was speaking after the constitutional court annulled last Friday's vote in which Mr Gul failed to win the required majority amid a boycott by the opposition.Mr Erdogan was speaking after the constitutional court annulled last Friday's vote in which Mr Gul failed to win the required majority amid a boycott by the opposition.
The constitutional court backed the opposition's argument that a quorum of two-thirds of the 550 lawmakers was not present.The constitutional court backed the opposition's argument that a quorum of two-thirds of the 550 lawmakers was not present.
A total of 361 lawmakers voted - 357 for Mr Gul - but 367 were needed to make a quorum.A total of 361 lawmakers voted - 357 for Mr Gul - but 367 were needed to make a quorum.
Mr Gul and Mr Erdogan deny there is any hidden Islamist agenda.Mr Gul and Mr Erdogan deny there is any hidden Islamist agenda.
But the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Istanbul says the army had made it clear it would not tolerate Mr Gul as president.But the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Istanbul says the army had made it clear it would not tolerate Mr Gul as president.
It warned it would defend the separation of state and religion, the legacy of the state's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.It warned it would defend the separation of state and religion, the legacy of the state's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
Our correspondent says the court is officially independent but had been under immense pressure to reach precisely the verdict it did. It is one that is likely to divide Turkey further, she says.Our correspondent says the court is officially independent but had been under immense pressure to reach precisely the verdict it did. It is one that is likely to divide Turkey further, she says.
On Sunday, hundreds of thousands of people rallied in Istanbul in support of secularism.On Sunday, hundreds of thousands of people rallied in Istanbul in support of secularism.