UPDATE - Turkish main opposition calls for early local elections

UPDATES WITH MORE REMAKRS FROM KILICDAROGLU ON EARLY LOCAL ELECTIONS

By Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - The leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) on Tuesday called for early local elections in Turkey.

Addressing his parliamentary group meeting in capital Ankara, Kemal Kilicdaroglu said: "I am suggesting right now, let's protect democracy. Let's not wait for local elections for 17 [more] months.

“Let's move the elections to an earlier time."

Kilicdaroglu said his party would even back in the parliament any constitutional change required for holding early local elections.

He said the party would support an early local elections' draft law, adding that a qualified majority of 367 lawmakers would back such a bill at the 550-seat parliament.

"Let's change the constitution. [...] I am saying it very clearly, I am saying it in the name of democracy," he said.

The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party has 316 deputies, while the CHP has 132 and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has 36 lawmakers in the parliament.

Kilicdaroglu's remarks came following the recent resignations of some ruling AK Party mayors in the country.

On Monday, the mayor of western Bursa province announced his resignation while Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Melih Gokcek also said he was going to step down coming Saturday.

Last month, Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas also resigned from his post, saying he would not cut ties with AK Party.

Earlier this month, Duzce Mayor Mehmet Keles also stepped down while last week, mayor of central Nigde province Faruk Aydogan also resigned from his post.

On Oct. 3, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is also the AK Party chairman, hinted to the press in Ankara that recent resignations were part of a reform within the party before the 2019 local elections.

Speaking to journalists in the parliament earlier in the day, Erdogan said early local elections would not be held in the country. "Have you ever heard something about it from us?" he said.

Turkey is scheduled to hold local elections in March 2019.