New election process begins for the Presidency of the 1st Chamber of the Council of State

In the 1st Chamber of the Council of State, the election marathon that began for the presidency seat following the retirement of President İlyas Arlı due to the age limit failed to yield a result last week. In the three rounds of voting held at the Council of State Grand General Assembly in Ankara, no candidate was able to secure the required absolute majority.

Among the names competing in the final round were Mustafa Gökçek and Esat Toklu. As a result of the voting, Gökçek received 39 votes and Toklu received 45 votes, but neither candidate could surpass the 57-vote threshold required for the presidency.

The elections for the presidency will continue with the vote to be renewed tomorrow.

The 1st Chamber of the Council of State handles files related to administrative proceedings, investigations into municipalities, zoning, and local government. Candidate Esat Toklu had previously come to the agenda with his ruling in the controversial zoning case of the TOGO Twin Towers in Ankara. During that process, Toklu, who reviewed and concluded the file during the judicial recess, was also reported to the Council of Judges and Prosecutors over allegations that he attended the birthday invitation of the contractor firm's owner. Toklu was elected as a member of the Council of State on December 17, 2021.

Who the new president will be will be determined in tomorrow's election.