Top officials in most of Turkey's key economic institutions have resigned to allow themselves to stand in the general elections, which have been set for 24 December.

Those who have resigned include Central Bank governor Yaman Toruner, privatisation chief Ufuk Soylemez, treasury chief Ayfer Yilmaz, treasury deputy undersecretary Nevzat Saygili and Ali Tigrel, chief adviser to Prime Minister Tansu Ciller.

Ziraat Bankasi and Emlabank chairmen and some state economic enterprises' senior managers have also resigned.

The effect of the resignations may create a power vacuum in the bureaucracy dealing with the economy, analysts say.

Ciller's new coalition government presented its transitional programme to parliament on 31 October, and faces a vote of confidence on 5 November. The government's position has been boosted by its success in passing a new electoral law and amendments to article 8 to the anti-terrorism law that should help secure entry into an EU customs union on 1 January 1996.