Surprise backing produces victory for Turkish regime

The right-wing minority Turkish government of Suleyman Demirel won a confidence vote in the lower house of parliament Wednesday. The government was helped to victory when the key Muslim fundamentalist National Salvation Party unexpectedly rallied to its support.

The minority Justice Party government obtained 227 votes, one more than the absolute majority of 226 seats in the 450-seats National Assembly. The leftist opposition, led by the Republican People's Party of former Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, which forced the confidence vote, won 214 votes. Four deputies were absent and five seats are vacant.