Critical work begins in the Turkish Parliament: Alcohol ban proposal and CHP authority dispute on the table

The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) is resuming work after a 10-day holiday break. Among the prominent topics this week are the evaluation of significant legislative proposals regarding alcoholic beverages and building cooperatives, as well as the dispute over the CHP group meeting.

On Tuesday, June 2, the "Draft Law on Amendments to the Soil Conservation and Land Use Law, the Paddy Law, and Certain Other Laws" is scheduled for deliberation in the General Assembly. This regulation restricts the promotion and sale of alcoholic beverage brands in various forms while prohibiting building cooperatives from acquiring ownership and rights in rem on agricultural land.

The proposal will ban the presence of objects that evoke the brands and symbols of alcoholic beverage producers and sellers in workplaces and event areas. Furthermore, authority will be granted to local administrative officials regarding the nationwide alcohol sales ban currently in effect between 22:00 and 06:00.

Within the scope of regulations aimed at protecting agricultural land, building cooperatives will be prevented from acquiring rights on these lands; only cooperatives for agricultural activities will be able to hold exceptional authority with the permission of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Electricity, water, and natural gas services will not be provided to unauthorized structures on agricultural land, and an administrative fine of 100 thousand liras will be imposed on those who do not comply with this rule.

In addition, penalties for degraded land will be increased, the sale and leasing of real estate belonging to the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) will be reorganized, disciplinary legislation regarding veterinarians will be updated, and new articles concerning carbon sink forests will be added. Furthermore, restrictions will be introduced on unplanned or unauthorized sugar beet cultivation.

INTENSE AGENDA IN COMMITTEES

Parliamentary committees are also entering a busy week. On Wednesday, June 3, an omnibus bill containing issues such as the redetermination of high-level staff ratios in the police force, regulations regarding the press and internet news sites, and penalties for cutting official notices and advertisements will be discussed in the Planning and Budget Committee.

A proposal aimed at ensuring the Turkish Red Crescent's full compliance with the Geneva Conventions will be on the agenda of the Interior Affairs Committee on Thursday, June 4. Additionally, some academics will provide information to the committee established to investigate the causes of school attacks that occurred in Kahramanmaraş and Şanlıurfa.

THE AGENDA OF THE CHP GROUP MEETING

The most striking issue on the political front this week is the authority confusion regarding the CHP group management. Following the cancellation of the 38th Grand Congress, Özgür Özel was elected Group Chairman in a closed group meeting, and this was reflected on the TBMM website. However, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu applied to Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, claiming that this election was irregular and issued statements declaring that it was within his own authority to determine the date of the group general assembly. The letter sent to CHP deputies stated, "The meeting date of the TBMM CHP Group General Assembly has not yet been determined by me. Necessary information will be provided to you as soon as the meeting date, meeting agenda, and the place where the meeting will be held are determined by me. Unless the necessary information on these matters is provided in accordance with my instructions, the TBMM CHP Group General Assembly will not be held."

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Murat Emir expressed a different view on the matter, stating, "Our group executive board will meet in accordance with the procedure. It is required to meet at least one day a week in accordance with the internal regulations, and while the executive board determines the place and time of those meetings, it will also determine the agenda, publish it, and subsequently our Group General Assembly will meet."

In light of these disputes, all eyes will be on the group meeting to be held on Tuesday at 13:30, as is the case every week.

KURTULMUŞ'S EUROPEAN CONTACTS

Another important development of the week is the official visits that Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş will pay to Finland and Sweden between June 1 and 5. It was reported that Kurtulmuş and his delegation will hold both one-on-one and inter-delegation meetings with the parliaments of the countries in question.

A busy week is expected in Parliament, where all these topics will be discussed.

News Source: 12punto