PARLIAMENT APPROVES BILL SETTING JULY 22 FOR GENERAL ELECTIONS
Parliament yesterday passed a bill by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to hold early general elections on July 22. The measure was supported both by the AKP and opposition parties, and the vote was unanimous. Addressing Parliament, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said that the elections would be held to solve Turkey's problems, adding that political parties should act with common sense in such an atmosphere. Saying that parties were indispensable players in democracy, Cicek stated that it was natural for them to champion competing views. "The nation votes for the party it prefers and helps it come to power," added Cicek. /Turkiye/

SEZER: "I'LL CONTINUE TO SERVE UNTIL A NEW PRESIDENT IS CHOSEN"
Though he is due to step down on May 16, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said yesterday that under Article 102 of the Constitution, he would continue to serve until a new president is elected. "No one needs to worry because my term in office as president will continue" until a successor is found, said Sezer. Commenting on proposals for a popular vote for president to replace this current parliamentary system, Sezer said that if presidents are elected by the people then their powers should be limited. /Sabah/

ERDOGAN CRITICIZES CHP, ANAVATAN FAVORING ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday criticized the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) for requesting that general elections not be held until September, saying that they had called for early elections but now claim polls in July would be problematic. Saying that the government had consulted the Supreme Board of Elections (YSK) on the date for elections, Erdogan said that board had set the date, July 22. /Turkiye/

BAYKAL: "THE DSP'S PRECONDITIONS ARE DISAPPOINTING"
Responding to the main opposition Republican People's Party's (CHP) proposal for unification, the Democratic Left Party (DSP) Administrative Board yesterday released a statement saying, "We are ready to discuss every kind of formula, including standing for general elections under the umbrella of the CHP, but not any under which the DSP would be closed." But CHP leader Deniz Baykal called the DSP's move disappointing. Baykal reportedly said that the DSP's preconditions would effectively block their efforts for unification. CHP deputy leader Mustafa Ozyurek added that the DSP's statement fell short of both their wishes and the hopes of millions who marched in recent rallies. /Cumhuriyet-Aksam/

MUMCU: "THE GENERAL STAFF'S STATEMENT HELPED THE AKP"
Opposition Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) leader Erkan Mumcu yesterday said that last Friday's statement by the Chief of General Staff had served to benefit the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Saying that after the statement an atmosphere painting the AKP as anti-military emerged, Mumcu argued that because of a custom left from the Ottoman Empire, the result of every general election in which the military opposes someone is clear. In related news, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli said that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) had exploited the presidential election to lay the groundwork for a political crisis. Stating that the AKP was trying to destroy Turkish nationalism, Bahceli said that the ruling party must be voted out. /Hurriyet/

UNDER THE CONSTITUTION, THREE CABINET MINISTERS SET TO STEP DOWN
Under the Constitution's Article 114 and due to pending general elections, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek, Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu and Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim are due to step down immediately. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is to appoint three independent figures from within or without Parliament to fill these posts. /Milliyet/

LAGENDIJK: "THE AKP SHOULD BE PLAIN WITH THE PEOPLE"
Joost Lagendijk, co-chair of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Commission, yesterday said he knows there are some suspicions that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has sinister plans for Turkey. Speaking to the BBC, Lagendijk said that the European Union shouldn't be worried about Turkey's current political period. He said charges the AKP is making Turkey into a regime like Iran or Saudi Arabia are unrealistic. Stating that one million people taking to the streets was a part of democracy, Lagendijk added, "If you aren't happy with something or if you have concerns about something, it's very natural to give voice to this on the streets." /Cumhuriyet/

GREEK CYPRIOTS PUSH SPAIN TO TAKE MEDIATOR ROLE
Spain, which co-chairs the Alliance of Civilizations with Turkey, is now working to mediate between Greek Cyprus and Turkey. After visiting the Greek Cypriot administration and being told Turkey is blocking the UN process, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos was asked to be a mediator and work to persuade Turkey. "I will speak with [Turkish Foreign Minister] Abdullah Gul personally," he said. "We'll make an attempt with the EU or alone." But the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) balked at Spain's possible mediation. "This attempt is in vain," said TRNC presidential spokesperson Hasan Ercakica. "The Greek Cypriots know that they won't be able to solve the problem in line with their interests and so are trying to buy time through implying that a solution can be reached with direct contacts with Turkey. Anyone who wants to be a mediator should make attempts through the TRNC and Greek Cyprus, not Turkey." /Hurriyet/

GOVT ANNOUNCES APRIL INFLATION
The Turkish Institute of Statistics (TUIK) yesterday released monthly inflation figures for last month. The consumer price index (CPI) rose by 1.21% in April, while the producer price index (PPI) rose by 0.8%, pushing yearly CPI to 10.72% and PPI to 9.68%. /Milliyet/