Opposition leaders call resignation decision a 'coup'

Leaders of both the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) have called the resignation decision of Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu a "coup" by President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an. 

"Davuto?lu's resignation should not be perceived as an internal party issue; all democracy supporters must resist this palace coup," K?l?çdaro?lu said at a news conference at his Republican People's Party (CHP) headquarters in Ankara.  

Earlier in the day, PM Davuto?lu announced that he would step aside following a rift inside the party. The resignation came one day after he held a meeting with Erdo?an at the presidential palace. 

"Mr. Davuto?lu came to the prime ministry seat as a result of the nation's will but he was forced to leave it due to the will, not of the 23.5 million people who voted for him, but of one person," he said, calling his rival successful for winning two elections: one on June 7, 2015, which failed to produce a government, and the following one on Nov. 1, in which the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) swept almost half the country's votes. 

Selahattin Demirta?, the co-chair of Kurdish-problem focused Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), had similar criticism. 

 "It is seen that even 99.9 percent homage is not enough for the palace," he said.  

"The people have elected you and the person at the palace wants to decide on who will rule this country. This is called a coup," Demirta? said. 

"What did Davuto?lu say [before]? 'It is the people to decide who will run the country.' Come on and repeat it. Is it the people who elect or the one at the palace?" he asked.

Naci Bostanc?, the vice-chair of the AKP's parliament group, explained that the unusual turn...