Coalition Unhurt by Vote, Premier Says

Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said his three-way coalition was unshaken by a severe defeat in parliament and would continue working for economic reforms. The left-of-center premier had put his reputation on the line to secure a constitutional amendment that would have given President Suleyman Demirel a chance at a second term. “Despite the failure to realize changes to the constitution, we give great importance to economic and political stability,” Ecevit said in a statement. “The three-party coalition is the guarantor of the harmonious work of government.” Many analysts said Wednesday’s vote was, above all, a rejection of Demirel.