- Title: TURKEY-DEMIREL/DAVUTOGLU-FILE Turkey mourns former President Demirel
- Date: 17th June 2015
- Summary: ANKARA, TURKEY (JUNE 17, 2015) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** TURKISH PRIME MINISTER AHMET DAVUTOGLU OFFERING CONDOLENCES TO FAMILY OF FORMER PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH PRIME MINISTER, AHMET DAVUTOGLU, SAYING: "Mr. President always stood by legitimacy and democracy in Turkey especially during the 27 May military coup, when
- Embargoed: 2nd July 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Turkey
- Country: Turkey
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA9TGDIZU4CLRRQATBEHU9BQBUY
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu paid tribute on Wednesday (June 17) to former Turkish President Suleyman Demirel and declared a national period of mourning.
Demirel, who was twice toppled by the military during seven stints as the head of government, died early on Wednesday, according to officials at the Guven Hospital in Ankara where he had been undergoing treatment for a respiratory tract infection. He was 90.
Demirel served as prime minister seven times through the 1960s to the 1990s and was president from 1993 to 2000.
Speaking during a visit to what had been Demirel's home in Ankara, Davutoglu paid tribute to the former president's contribution to the country.
"Mr. President always stood by legitimacy and democracy in Turkey especially during the 27 May military coup, when dark clouds were hovering above Turkey. His name is written in our political history because of his great contributions," Davutoglu said.
"I came to this house that also witnessed history to offer my condolences on behalf of the Turkish government and Turkish people. As of today, we will declare national mourning as part of a state tradition that has been applied for all former Presidents," he added.
Born to a farming family in the western Turkish province of Isparta in November 1924, Demirel trained as a civil engineer, according to an official government biography.
He first came to power in general elections held five years after the 1960 coup, at the head of the Justice Party. He inherited his mostly rural power base from the former Democrat Party, which had been banned by the military.
Demirel had no children but was known as "Baba", or "Dad", to his fans in Turkey's farming heartland during his years in power. He served during a period of unstable coalitions in NATO-member Turkey that was brought to an end when the ruling AK Party, founded by President Tayyip Erdogan, came to power in 2002.
Turkey now faces a return to coalition politics after the AKP failed to secure a majority in June 7 elections, in a big setback for a party that has transformed the country into one of the world's top 20 economies.
Following Davutoglu's announcement, local media reported that the three days of national mourning will continue until Friday (June 19), when Demirel's funeral is expected to be held. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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