Number of MPs in the Turkish Parliament drops to 592: Who will replace Önder?

With the passing of Deputy Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) and DEM Party Istanbul MP Sırrı Süreyya Önder, the number of MPs has dropped to 592. During the 28th Legislative Term, the number of MPs, which stood at 600, fell to 599 following the death of Saadet Party Kocaeli MP Hasan Bitmez on December 14, 2023, after he fell ill while delivering a speech in the General Assembly.

The parliamentary membership of Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP) Hatay MP Can Atalay was revoked after the verdict against him was read in the General Assembly on January 30, 2024.

Following the election of CHP MPs Hasan Baltacı, Abdurrahman Tutdere, Ahmet Önal, and Burcu Köksal as mayors, and the appointment of AKP's Murat Kurum as the Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the number of MPs in the TBMM became 593.

After the passing of Deputy Speaker of the TBMM and DEM Party Istanbul MP Önder, who was receiving treatment for a heart condition, the number of MPs fell to 592.

With the death of Sırrı Süreyya Önder following that of Hasan Bitmez, the parliamentary terms of two individuals have ended due to death in the 28th Legislative Term.

HOW WILL THE NEW DEPUTY SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT BE DETERMINED?

Since Sırrı Süreyya Önder served as Deputy Speaker of the Parliament under the DEM Party quota, the new deputy speaker will again be determined from among the MPs of the same party. The DEM Party Group will nominate a candidate from among its MPs for the position of Deputy Speaker of the Parliament.

Following this process, the new deputy speaker will be elected through a vote in the TBMM General Assembly.

The elected deputy speaker will serve until the 2nd Term elections of the Parliamentary Presidential Council to be held in June.