Ecevit Says They Prefer Holding Elections Next Year

ANKARA (A.A)- 20.07.2002 - Prime Minister and Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Bulent Ecevit said on Saturday, ''we prefer holding elections next year to this year. But the most appropriate thing is to hold elections on time, that is, in April of 2004.''
Responding questions of journalists following the meeting of DSP Assembly, Prime Minister Ecevit said that Suleyman Yagiz was appointed as new secretary general of the DSP.
Noting that it would be more beneficial to hold elections in 2003 or in 2004, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''we prefer holding elections next year. But the most appropriate thing is to hold elections in April of 2004. DSP officials will hold talks with officials of other political parties that are represented in the parliament.''
YILMAZ: ANAP DECISION-MAKING AND EXECUTIVE BOARD DECIDED THAT IT WILL BE MORE CORRECT TO HOLD ELECTIONS ON NOVEMBER 3, 2002
State Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz said, ''ANAP Decision-Making and Executive Board decided at today's meeting that it will be more correct to hold elections on November 3, 2002.''
The meeting of ANAP Decision-Making and Executive Board under the chairmanship of Yilmaz ended.
Responding questions of journalists following the meeting, Yilmaz said that the meeting had focused on recent political developments, and early elections.
''Under the decision reached among the coalition partners earlier in the week, ANAP Decision-Making and Executive Board decided at today's meeting that it will be more correct to hold elections on November 3, 2002,'' he said.
Yilmaz added, ''also, ANAP Decision-Making and Executive Board has adopted a package of laws about the European Union (EU). Before taking a decision to hold early elections, parliament should adopt EU adjustment laws. I will hold contacts with leaders of other political parties having seats at the parliament as of Tuesday to this end.''