Turkish PM rules out general elections before 2019

ANKARA

Turkey’s prime minister confirmed Saturday there be no early general elections in the country ahead of 2019.

Speaking at an event in Istanbul, Binali Yildirim said elections would be carried out on the scheduled date and added: "The Turkish people made their decision until 2019; there will be no early elections."

Elections to the country’s 550-seat Grand National Assembly will be held on or before 25 Oct. 2019.

The latest general election was on 1 Nov. 2015.

Criticism of Europe

The Turkish premier also hit out at a European lawmakers’ vote this week urging a freeze in EU membership talks with Turkey.

Yildirim said: "Two days ago, the MEPs gathered in the European Parliament and decided to halt negotiations with Turkey.

“This decision has no value for us… Let them decide on whatever they want. The Turkish people's decision is important; any other [country's] decision is of no importance at all."

Yildirim said the European Parliament had further damaged the Turkish people's already-weakening sense of confidence in the EU.

"The union's decision is away from political prudence and good will," he said.

Yildirim also urged the EU to decide with whom to cooperate -- Turkey or terror groups.

"It should be borne in mind that Turkey is the country that welcomes and gives a safe haven for millions of refugees fleeing their homes due to the tragedy of humanity in Syria and Iraq....

“Watch the situation in Europe if Turkey does not protect these refugees…Humanity is in Turkey, Turkey is the country in which humanity has not died."

Yildirim also said the EU would not care about the European Parliament’s decision to call for a freeze in membership talks.

"I hope there are still leaders in Europe who will not consent to a half-century of EU-Turkey relations being damaged," he added.

Economy

Speaking about Turkey’s economy, Yildirim said: "It is our duty to relieve the unrest of the markets, investors and businessmen. We have immediately taken measures."

"This fluctuation in the economy in Turkey is a situation that exists all over the world and it is a temporary situation.

“I hope, as of 2017, we will have more resources for investments, production and employment."

Yildirim said Turkey had "a sound economy.”