Debate over 'quorum' in Parliament: AKP deputies revolt against salary deduction plan
Due to the long-standing quorum crisis in the Parliamentary General Assembly, the deduction of allowances and travel expenses for deputies who do not attend has come to the agenda. However, there are those within the ruling party who oppose this change.
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Recent issues regarding the quorum in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey have drawn attention. Despite the ruling group having 325 deputies, along with the support of the MHP, sessions are frequently closed due to insufficient attendance, failing to reach the 200-deputy threshold required for the General Assembly to function.
While the ruling party claims that the source of this problem is the opposition, which constantly requests a quorum check, it is preparing to amend the Rules of Procedure to overcome this impasse. The planned new regulation stipulates that if the General Assembly cannot convene at the end of a quorum check, the travel expenses and allowances of all deputies who did not attend that session will be deducted.
According to a report by Gazete Pencere, the plan was also met with backlash from within the AKP ranks. Emphasizing that they regularly attend parliamentary sessions, one AKP deputy stated that this method causes deputies to be constantly associated with salaries and meals, and opposed the proposal by saying, "While we should be protecting and strengthening the reputation of the Parliament and the deputy, the 'if you don't come, we will cut your salary' approach does not suit us. This attitude belittles the deputy. It would be destroying our own reputation with our own hands."