Turkish government’s fate depends on economy minister

Turkish Premier Bulent Ecevit today said he would step down if his economy minister is forced out.

Minister Kemal Dervis resigned last week, but was persuaded to stay on to avoid damaging the country’s fragile economy and an International Monetary Fund-backed recovery programme.

Dervis has backed MPs who deserted Ecevit to form a new party.

Dervis’s support for the new party has enraged nationalists who are the largest group remaining in the struggling coalition government.

Asked if he would step down if the nationalists insist on Dervis’ departure, Ecevit told the Milliyet newspaper: ‘‘Of course, it would be obligatory.’’

Ecevit had previously said he would only resign if his government lost its majority in the 550-member parliament.

But today he suggested he could step down before that.

‘‘There could be other developments that could force my resignation,’’ Ecevit said. ‘‘If Dervis adopts a difference attitude then I may have to leave before losing the majority.’’

Ecevit said Dervis’ involvement in another party was ‘‘not customary’’ but said it was a situation the government ‘‘had to endure’’.

Nationalists are expected to step up pressure for Dervis’ departure in the coming days. Today, the Ortadogu newspaper, which is close to the nationalist party, said the party’s leader could boycott a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday unless Dervis leaves or is removed.

‘‘If any member of the Cabinet is involved with new movements outside the government, he must make a personal choice,’’ nationalist leader Devlet Bahceli told the daily Hurriyet newspaper. ‘‘You can’t do both; it is unseemly and I consider it unethical.’’