Opposition parties call for extraordinary session of the Turkish Parliament

Following the Constitutional Court's ruling regarding Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP) Hatay MP Can Atalay, several opposition parties have submitted a joint petition to the Speaker of the Parliament requesting an extraordinary session of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) on August 16.

Following the submission, CHP Group Deputy Chairman Gökhan Günaydın, DEM Party Group Deputy Chairman Sezai Temelli, Saadet Party Group Deputy Chairman Bülent Kaya, DEVA Party Ankara MP İdris Şahin, and TİP Istanbul MP Ahmet Şık held a joint press conference at the Parliament.

WE HAVE SUBMITTED THE SIGNATURES TO THE PARLIAMENT

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Gökhan Günaydın stated that the decision regarding the revocation of TİP MP Can Atalay's parliamentary seat was not finalized by the Constitutional Court, saying, "Following the Constitutional Court's ruling, we have determined that there is no final judgment. In this context, we believe that Can Atalay's parliamentary membership continues. We have submitted the signatures to the Speaker of the Parliament to call the TBMM to an extraordinary session on Friday, August 16, at 14:00 to discuss this situation."

Günaydın stated that the call text submitted to the Speaker of the Parliament includes the signatures of representatives from the CHP, DEM Party, Saadet Party, Future Party (Gelecek Partisi), DEVA Party, Democrat Party, TİP, and EMEP.

Reminding that the authority to call the Parliament to an extraordinary session during its recess is exercised by the President, the Speaker of the Parliament, or upon the collection of signatures from one-fifth of the MPs, Günaydın said, "We made this application with the signatures of many more MPs. The Speaker of the Parliament must call the Parliament to a session within 7 days at the latest. We hope that a decision in accordance with the law will be taken as a result of this meeting."

I HOPE THAT PEOPLE VICTIMIZED BY THE JUDICIARY WILL REGAIN THEIR RIGHTS

TİP Istanbul MP Ahmet Şık thanked the party representatives who provided their signatures, saying, "This discussion, beyond the issue of whether Can Atalay is an MP or not, is a debate about whether the norms of law and democracy will prevail in Turkey. We hope that the people victimized by the judiciary will regain their rights."

WE INVITE THE PARLIAMENT TO CONVENE

DEM Party Group Deputy Chairman Sezai Temelli stated that complying with the Constitution is a necessity, adding, "We are inviting the Parliament to convene for Can on August 16. The Parliament must fulfill its duty."

TURKEY WILL LEAVE ANTI-DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES BEHIND

Saadet Party Group Deputy Chairman Bülent Kaya stated that they see the date of August 16 as an opportunity for a return to rational policies in law, saying, "Turkey will leave these anti-democratic processes behind. We hope that with the decision to be taken in the TBMM on August 16, Turkey will reach a level where it once again understands the value of the Constitution."

A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY FALLS ON THE PARLIAMENT

DEVA Party Ankara MP İdris Şahin said, "A great responsibility falls on the Parliament. When we lose our faith in the rule of law and its functioning, we can speak of neither a state of law nor a parliament."