Turkey's Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz said on Thursday that he is considering his resignation in response to the opposition party's call for him to step down.
Speaking at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey's budgetary meetings, Yildiz said, "It is reasonable for an opponent party to call for my resignation. I want you to know that I am considering resigning. I am a man of principles and I submitted my resignation to the ministerial cabinet when the mine accident occured in Soma."
Yildiz said he will share the call for his resignation from the 13 opposition party members with the prime minister, adding that at present resigning is an easier option.
Turkey had two major mine accidents recently. 301 people died in the Soma mine accident on 13 May 2014 in the city of Manisa and on October 28 and 18 miners were trapped after a coal mine was flooded in the Ermenek district of Turkey’s Karaman city.