Turkish parliament speaker Binali Yildirim has announced his resignation as the head of the parliament in order to contest mayoral elections in Istanbul on 31 March.

Iran Press/Asia: Yildirim had said at a farewell dinner that he will resign in connection with the official nomination of his candidacy for the post of head of the Istanbul municipality.

According to AzerNews, MP from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Celal Adan will temporarily perform Yildirim’s duties.

"After this meal, the first thing I will do is to submit my resignation letter to the Grand National Assembly," said Binali Yildirim, the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's candidate for mayor of Istanbul in the March 31 elections.

Telling how he was the last Turkish premier under a parliamentary system until July 2018, Yildirim added: "I was the first speaker under the presidential system. I am the first speaker who is a mayoral candidate."

Earlier, Yildirim said the biggest problem in Istanbul is road congestion and heavy traffic, particularly the high density of traffic, adding that he will be able to solve this problem if he gets elected, to head the Istanbul municipality, on the day of municipal elections which is 31st March.

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The municipal elections in Turkey will be held on March 31, 2019. They are held every five years. 103/207

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