Low attendance at Turkish Parliament earthquake session

As Turkey commemorates the pain of the major earthquake that occurred on February 6 and affected 11 provinces, a special session was held in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) in memory of those who lost their lives in the disaster. However, the fact that only 45 out of the 592 members of parliament were present at this special session has sparked debate among the public.

On the anniversary of the disaster, in which more than 53 thousand people lost their lives according to official figures, various commemoration programs were held in the cities where the disaster caused destruction. The TBMM convened with an extraordinary agenda due to the significance of February 6.

A TOTAL OF 45 LAWMAKERS ATTENDED

According to the party distribution of the participating members of parliament; 19 from the Republican People's Party (CHP), 8 from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), 8 from the DEM Party, 4 from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and two each from the New Way and IYI Party were present. In the session attended by a total of 45 members of parliament, the absence of many lawmakers did not go unnoticed.

While citizens criticized this low attendance in the TBMM, reactions also rose on social media. The empty seats in the General Assembly of the Parliament led to comments suggesting a lack of sensitivity toward the thousands of citizens who lost their lives in the earthquake.

While the effects of the earthquake, which remains fresh in the social memory, continue on its anniversary, the attendance issue experienced in the Parliament maintains its place on the agenda.