Erdogan breaks silence to push for coalition govt

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday called for the swift formation of a new coalition government, ending almost four days of unusual silence after legislative polls seen as a blow to his authority.

Erdogan's comments added weight to expectations of a coalition government in Turkey after the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) he co-founded lost its majority in Sunday's dramatic polls.

"Everyone should put their egos aside and a government must be formed as soon as possible, within the constitutional process," Erdogan said in his first public comments since Sunday's vote.

In a message to investors rattled by the political uncertainty, Erdogan insisted that the election result "certainly does not mean Turkey will remain without a government."

He said he hoped political parties will "prefer a solution rather than crisis.

"We cannot leave Turkey without a government, without a head. Those who are condemned to their egos will neither be able to give account to history, nor to our people."

Although the AKP won the biggest share of the vote in the elections, it lost its majority for the first time since it came to power since 2002.