Mikhail Kamynin's comment is aimed at the current political impasse in Turkey where the only presidential candidate, Abdullah Gul, leader of the ruling AK Party, failed to garner the necessary two thirds of votes in parliament Sunday because the opposition boycotted the vote for fear of his party's plans to bring in Islamic law.
"Russia is convinced that a solution to the current complicated political situation in the country will be found on the basis of respect for constitutional norms and democratic procedures," Kamynin said, adding that Moscow sought further consistent development of advantageous ties with Turkey as a pledge of stability and security in the region.
The single seven-year term of the current president, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, expires May 16, and parliament is to elect his successor within a month, otherwise it will be dissolved and early elections called. But parliamentarians have already set early elections for July 22 while the opposition wants the date to be moved forward to June 24.
Under current law, Turkish parliament elects the president but the AK Party is seeking to amend the Constitution to introduce a direct vote and a five-year term for the president, with a possibility for reelection. These initiatives could be timely for Turkey, which is seeking to join the European Union.
