Turkish Prime Minister Creates New Coalition

Prime Minister Tansu Ciller put together a coalition Monday that could keep her in office despite her failure to win a parliamentary vote of confidence.

It was not immediately clear, however, if President Suleyman Demirel would approve Ciller’s accord with the Republican People’s Party and ask her to stay on.

The center-left party had belonged to Ciller’s governing coalition but bolted last month over her economic austerity plan. Ciller formed a minority government after the coalition collapsed, but on Sunday, it failed to win a vote of confidence all new governments face.

On Monday, Ciller said the renegade party rejoined the fold for the stability of the nation.

Turkey’s first woman leader announced the partnership shortly before she submitted her resignation to Demirel, as required after losing the confidence vote.

Demirel has the power to ask Ciller to head a new government, or name a new person. He was expected to decide after talks with leaders.