CHP can't boycott its responsibilities: PM Yildirim

By Baris Gundogan and Kemal Karadag

ANKARA

Turkey’s prime minister Friday urged main opposition lawmakers to collaborate on changes triggered by the country's new Constitution approved in last month’s public referendum.

Speaking to reporters before leaving for a two-day visit to Moldova, Binali Yildirim said the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party wants all parties to discuss the new arrangements in line with the new system by the time of the 2019 elections.

Referring to the declaration by Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), that the party would not name any deputies to a committee to select members of the country's Supreme Council of Judges and Public Prosecutors, Yildirim said such boycotts help no one.

"The lawmakers were selected to work for the citizens. To say 'I’m out' shows disrespect to the nation," Yildirim said.

In an April 16 referendum, Turkish voters approved changes to the country’s Constitution, including the shift to an executive presidency.

The CHP sharply criticized the conduct of the referendum, and particularly a decision on ballot papers by the Supreme Board of Elections (YSK).

After an unsuccessful appeal to the YSK, the Council of State -- Turkey’s highest administrative court -- rejected the CHP’s petition to annul the YSK’s decision.

Later, Yildirim left for the capital Chisinau to attend a Turkey-Moldova Business Forum, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Tugrul Turkes, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci, and Labor and Social Security Minister Mehmet Muezzinoglu.

During his visit, Yildirim is expected to meet Moldovan President Igor Dodon and Prime Minister Pavel Filip.