ANKARA, Turkey – In his first televised appearance since his ruling party lost its parliamentary majority, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has asked all Turkish political parties to put aside their differences and rapidly form a new government.
Erdogan had campaigned voraciously in a bid to win a supermajority for the ruling party, which would have enabled it to change the constitution and usher in a presidential system allowing him to control government affairs. The party is now forced to seek a coalition partnership.
Erdogan said: "Those who leave Turkey without a government will not be able to account for it. Everyone should leave their egos behind."
Attending a graduation ceremony for foreign students on Wednesday, Erdogan also took a swipe at the West, accusing it of ignoring the plight of thousands of refugees.