Numan Kurtulmuş issues striking call regarding the nullity crisis: 'The Court of Cassation must clarify the decision as soon as possible'

Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş evaluated the developments following the absolute nullity ruling regarding the CHP's 38th Ordinary Congress. Speaking to Nefes writer Aytunç Erkin, Kurtulmuş stated that it is not possible for the Speaker's Office to take sides in the process, expressing that the issue is an internal matter of a political party.

"THIS ISSUE IS NOT A MATTER CONCERNING THE PARLIAMENT SPEAKER'S OFFICE"

Addressing the debates over group meetings in Parliament, Kurtulmuş noted that while some circles argued he should intervene directly and make a decision, others claimed it was entirely an internal CHP matter.

Stating that they have maintained the same stance from the very first day, Kurtulmuş said, "This issue is not a matter that concerns the Parliament Speaker's Office. This is an internal matter of a political party. We are not, and cannot be, a party to it," expressing their view.

Recalling that a similar situation occurred in 1993 within the Social Democratic Populist Party, Kurtulmuş stated that the then-Parliament Speaker Hüsamettin Cindoruk also took a stance of not intervening, suggesting that the party should produce a solution within itself.

HE EXPLAINED THE PROCEDURES CARRIED OUT FOR KILIÇDAROĞLU AND ÖZEL

Stating that they registered Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu as CHP Chairman in the parliamentary records following the letter he sent attaching the court decision, Kurtulmuş said that Özgür Özel was also registered as Group Chairman as a result of the election held by the CHP Parliamentary Group in accordance with its own internal regulations.

Noting that the chairman's sign in the group chairmanship office was removed on the same day, Kurtulmuş recorded that the actions the Parliament Speaker's Office could take were limited to these.

"RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WITHIN CHP'S INSTITUTIONAL IDENTITY"

Stating that they have called on the CHP management and the parties involved to resolve the problem within the party, Kurtulmuş said that despite this, the ongoing debates have been turned into a tool for intra-party strife.

Emphasizing that the neutral position of the Parliament Speaker's Office must be protected, Kurtulmuş stated that this neutrality is important for the institution to be able to assume a problem-solving role when necessary.

"PARLIAMENT CANNOT BE TURNED INTO A RALLY GROUND"

Kurtulmuş said that the parties would not be allowed to make attempts to turn the Turkish Grand National Assembly into a rally ground.

Stating that group meetings in Parliament are held within the framework of specific rules, Kurtulmuş reminded that the allocation of group halls, technical support services, and TBMM TV broadcasts are the responsibility of the Parliament Speaker's Office.

Expressing that they would not show any hesitation in these processes, Kurtulmuş stated that no political group has the right to turn the Turkish Grand National Assembly into a rally ground for any reason whatsoever.

"THE COURT OF CASSATION MUST CLARIFY IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE"

Kurtulmuş also made assessments regarding MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli's call to the Court of Cassation, saying that the issue is related to a court decision.

Stating that court decisions can be criticized but his own responsibility is to manage the process in terms of parliamentary law, Kurtulmuş expressed that it would be beneficial for the Court of Cassation to clarify its decision as soon as possible in terms of ending the debates.

Saying that he is following the process with sadness, Kurtulmuş stated that the CHP plays an important role in Turkey's democracy.

Expressing that the Republican People's Party must resolve its internal conflict in a short time, Kurtulmuş said that the party management should then carry out a congress, revision, or other steps within its own legal system if it deems them necessary.

"THE IMAGES AT THE CHP BUILDING HARMED TURKEY"

Touching upon the events that took place at the CHP Headquarters, where police were also reflected in the footage, Kurtulmuş stated that the images that emerged harmed not only the CHP but also Turkey.