DSP leader resigns from post

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

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The reason for his resignation is that although there has been a small rise in the number of votes for the DSP, it was not the result they expected from the local elections held March 29, said Sezer in a press conference Saturday. “For that reason we cannot see ourselves as successful,” he said.

“In my principles, those who are not successful should not risk the future of the institution or country they are serving,” said Sezer. “The DSP is Turkey’s future. The DSP is a guarantor for Turkey’s unity and republic.”

Sezer said he was criticized lately about making the party lose money. “The party has more than 29 million Turkish liras right now, but of course we should ask the party how much was spent between 2002 and 2005.” Sezer called on the Constitutional Court to inspect the accounts of the party upon the claims against him.

Some supporters were in tears at the press conference as they asked Sezer to change his mind. Sezer, however, said he would not change his mind or run as a candidate for party leadership in the congress.

Meanwhile, DSP Secretary-General Süleyman Yağız said yesterday the party would go to exceptional lengths to elect a leader to replace Sezer. “We plan to have a congress on May 17 or May 24 and Saffet Başaran [a former deputy] will head it,” said Yağız.