Turks Go To Polls

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32117, 13 October 1969, Page 13

Turks Go To Polls

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright> ANKARA, Oct. 12. Turkey’s 10 million voters are expected to give another fonr-year mandate to the Justice Party led by the Prime Minister (Mr Suleyman Demirel) today. Opinion poll samples however, show that his majority in the new National Assembly may be reduced by vigorous opposition from the Republican People's Party, led by the veteran statesman, Mr Ismet Inonu. The indications are that Mr Demirel will win an absolute majority of 226 in the National Assembly, which has 450 seats, but he is expected

to lose some of the 255 seats he held previously, giving the Republicans 150, an increase of 20. The General Election, the third since the Army restored civilian rule in 1961, will set the course for the country's economic progress and constitutional changes over the next four years. Party leaders see the poll as crucial to Turkey's ambition of becoming a fullyindustrialised State in the 19705. Mr Inonu has accused Mr Demirel of economic mismanagement, encouraging speculators, greatly increasing Turkey's foreign debts, and failing to improve the living standards of the country’s dominant peasant population. Mr Demirel has stood by

his record saying that he has maintained political stability while encouraging economic growth under free enterprise and has appealed for continu ing support among conserve tive-minded peasants on the ground that the Republicans new Left-of-centre policies are socialist. Six lesser parties are alsc in the campaign, but only the Trust Party, a Republican splinter group which disa grees with the Republicans’ stand for increased public ownership, is expected to make a significant mark. None of the major parties is in serious disagreement over foreign policy. Mr Demirel has called foi a two-thirds majority in the Assembly empowering him to proceed with constitutional amendments to give him greater control over the machinery of Parliament, State institutions and the judiciary. The Republicans also want sterner control over economic machinery, but Mi Demirel is considered highly unlikely to obtain a two thirds majority, and ponstitu tional changes will be effec ted only by compromise in the new Assembly. The nine-hour polling period ends at 3 a.m. New Zealand time on Monday, and the first results are expected about five hours later.