Minister Asked to Form Government

Turkish independent parliament member Yalim Erez was appointed to form an interim government and end weeks of political chaos. He said he is open to including the country’s Islamic party, Virtue. President Suleyman Demirel asked Erez, the acting industry and trade minister, to try for the premiership after a center-left party leader was unable to form a coalition that excluded the Virtue Party. Erez, 54, said he will begin negotiations Monday, starting with Virtue. A government led by Virtue’s predecessor was pressured out of power by the military last year. The military is opposed to any deal that brings Virtue to power.