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In 1st public appearance, Turkey's Erdogan asks parties to 'leave egos behind' for a coalition

Associated Press
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Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a graduation ceremony for foreign students in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, June 11, 2015. In his first televised appearance since his ruling party lost its parliamentary majority, Erdogan has asked all Turkish political parties to put aside their differences and rapidly form a new government, although Erdogan wanted to change the constitution and form a presidential system of government, his party is now forced to seek a coalition partnership. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici) (The Associated Press)

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a graduation ceremony for foreign students in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, June 11, 2015. In his first televised appearance since his ruling party lost its parliamentary majority, Erdogan has asked all Turkish political parties to put aside their differences and rapidly form a new government, although Erdogan wanted to change the constitution and form a presidential system of government, his party is now forced to seek a coalition partnership.(AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici) (The Associated Press)

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan makes the sign of the Rabaah movement in Egypt during a graduation ceremony for foreign students in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, June 11, 2015. In his first televised appearance since his ruling party lost its parliamentary majority, Erdogan has asked all Turkish political parties to put aside their differences and rapidly form a new government. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici) (The Associated Press)

In his first televised appearance since his ruling party lost its parliamentary majority, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has asked all Turkish political parties to put aside their differences and rapidly form a new government.

Erdogan had campaigned voraciously in a bid to win a supermajority for the ruling party, which would have enabled it to change the constitution and usher in a presidential system allowing him to control government affairs. The party is now forced to seek a coalition partnership.

Erdogan said: "Those who leave Turkey without a government will not be able to account for it. Everyone should leave their egos behind."

Attending a graduation ceremony for foreign students on Wednesday, Erdogan also took a swipe at the West, accusing it of ignoring the plight of thousands of refugees.