Özgür Özel's harsh criticism of HSK elections: 'There is a constitutional violation'

The DEM Party visited the CHP as part of the political contacts it initiated following the PKK's dissolution announcement. During this visit, the DEM Party Co-Chairs and Group Deputy Chairs met with CHP leader Özgür Özel.

Responding to questions from members of the press after the meeting, Özel stated that the DEM Party is holding meetings with all political parties and that they did not plan to hold a joint press conference within this scope. However, he noted that he was answering questions as the host.

Regarding the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK) elections, Özel argued that the process is unconstitutional. Stating, "This matter is a complete example of lawlessness," Özel claimed that the AKP is trying to determine its own candidates by inventing a third round of voting. Özel used the expressions, "This is an 'audacity,' even a 'condescension,' an attempt at pickpocketing against the Constitution."

Özel stated that they would apply to the Constitutional Court and request a stay of execution. Emphasizing that the Constitution clearly defines the election process, Özel said, "A qualified majority is sought in the first round, a lower qualified majority is sought in the second round, and if this cannot be achieved, a draw is held between the two candidates who received the most votes." However, he alleged that the AKP is trying to determine its own candidates together with the MHP by inventing a non-existent third round of voting.

Highlights from Özgür Özel's statements are as follows:

Dear friends, the DEM Party Co-Chairs and Group Deputy Chairs requested an appointment. We held a meeting. They are conducting a round of meetings with all political parties, and they did not plan a press statement for this round.

Because of that, it is not possible to hold a press conference or make a statement regarding the content. I am not saying this as a statement after the meeting, but of course, since you are in a place where we are the hosts, we will naturally answer your questions upon your insistence.

SPOKE ABOUT HSK MEMBER ELECTIONS

The issue regarding the HSK is a complete matter of lawlessness. We will apply to the Constitutional Court tomorrow, once the YSK election concludes today. We will request a stay of execution. It is this clear, friends, the Constitution says: "A qualified majority is sought in the first round." A lower qualified majority is sought in the second round. It says if these cannot be achieved, a draw is held between the candidates who received the most votes in the third round. By inventing a third round of voting that does not exist, that is, the AKP, which cannot provide a qualified majority in the first two rounds, is trying to turn the two candidates who will enter the draw into candidates close to and supported by the AKP by dividing its 30 votes into 15-15 with the MHP in a third round—let's not call it devilry, but an audacity, a condescension, an attempt at pickpocketing. The Constitution says one vote, two votes, if it doesn't happen, a draw between the two candidates who received the most votes.

In the third, they voted again, divided it into two, and made both candidates their own. Why does the Constitution want a qualified majority from you? It says, "If you cannot agree, I will put it to a draw," forcing you to agree. This shamelessness will be expressed by our friends in the General Assembly today, and it will be carried to the Constitutional Court tomorrow.

Read the constitution in any village coffeehouse in Anatolia, in any marketplace, at any minibus stop, on any worker's bus, and look at what the AKP-MHP is trying to do. The answer to this in Anatolia is "Shame on you!" "Shame on you!" The Constitution says, "One vote, two votes, if you see it didn't work, a draw." They say, "Let's vote one more time, let's divide the votes in two, let the two candidates who get the most votes be from us."

This trick, this lie, this pickpocketing, this shamelessness resorted to against the Constitution will be discussed in Parliament today.

News Source: 12punto