Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a rally in the mainly Kurdish city of Diyarbakir, Turkey, Saturday, May 28, 2016. Erdogan pressed ahead with his criticism of the United States over the U.S. troops' wearing the patches of Syrian Kurdish forces, despite U.S. assurances. (Basin Bulbul, Presidential Press Service/Pool via AP)
The Associated Press
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkey's new government, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's loyal ally, has easily won a vote of confidence in parliament.
Legislators voted 315-138 on Sunday to approve Prime Minister Binali Yildirim's government.
Yildirim, 60, replaced former premier Ahmet Davutoglu, who stepped down after falling out of favor with Erdogan over a range of issues. They included Davutoglu's apparent lack of enthusiasm for constitutional changes, pressed by Erdogan, which would transform his largely ceremonial presidency into one where the president wields more power.
Yildirim has promised to immediately work toward passing the controversial constitutional changes demanded by Erdogan.
On Sunday, Yildirim took a more unifying tone, saying the new government would serve the whole nation and advance democracy, human rights and freedoms in Turkey.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a rally in the mainly Kurdish city of Diyarbakir, Turkey, Saturday, May 28, 2016. Erdogan pressed ahead with his criticism of the United States over the U.S. troops' wearing the patches of Syrian Kurdish forces, despite U.S. assurances. (Basin Bulbul, Presidential Press Service/Pool via AP)
The Associated Press
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a rally in the mainly Kurdish city of Diyarbakir, Turkey, Saturday, May 28, 2016. Erdogan pressed ahead with his criticism of the United States over the U.S. troops' wearing the patches of Syrian Kurdish forces, despite U.S. assurances. (Kayhan Ozer, Presidential Press Service/Pool via AP)
The Associated Press