Ankara: Former Turkish President Suleyman Demirel, who was twice toppled by the military during seven stints at the head of government, died early today, according to a hospital official and Turkish media. He was 90.
Demirel, who served as prime minister seven times through the 1960s to the 1990s and was president from 1993 to 2000, died at the Guven Hospital in Ankara where he had been undergoing treatment for a respiratory tract infection, a hospital official told Reuters.
Born to a farming family in the western Turkish province of Isparta in November 1924, Demirel trained as a civil engineer, according to an official government biography. He first came to power in general elections held five years after a 1960 coup, at the head of the Justice Party.
Known as ""Baba", or "Dad", to his fans in Turkey's farming heartland during his years in power, he served during a period of unstable coalitions in NATO-member Turkey that was brought to an end when the ruling AK Party founded by President Tayyip Erdogan came to power in 2002.
Turkey now faces a return to coalition politics after the AKP failed to secure a majority government in June 7 elections, marking a major setback for a party that has transformed Turkeyinto one of the world's top-20 economies.
Demirel, who served as prime minister seven times through the 1960s to the 1990s and was president from 1993 to 2000, died at the Guven Hospital in Ankara where he had been undergoing treatment for a respiratory tract infection, a hospital official told Reuters.
Born to a farming family in the western Turkish province of Isparta in November 1924, Demirel trained as a civil engineer, according to an official government biography. He first came to power in general elections held five years after a 1960 coup, at the head of the Justice Party.
Turkey now faces a return to coalition politics after the AKP failed to secure a majority government in June 7 elections, marking a major setback for a party that has transformed Turkeyinto one of the world's top-20 economies.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Turkey Might Enter Israel To Help Palestinians: President Erdogan "Spirit Of United Nations Dead In Gaza": Turkey's Erdogan After Deadly Israeli Strikes Turkey's Erdogan Meets Hamas Chief In Istanbul, Israel Reacts Why Kolkata Doctor's Rape-Murder Case Went To CBI: Court's Tough Remarks Starbucks' Indian-Origin CEO, Recently Fired, Never Worked Past 6 pm Watch: 2 Dogs, 2 Lions, And An Almost-Fight In Gujarat 2024 Audi Q8 Launching In India On August 22, Bookings Open New Enrollment Procedure For Students Seeking Admission To ODL Courses Top Court To Hear CBI Plea Against Nithari Killer Surendra Koli's Acquittal Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.