Reaction from Deputy Speaker of Parliament Karaca to Numan Kurtulmuş

Recent developments in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) have sparked a new debate following the Constitutional Court's ruling of a violation regarding the stripping of Can Atalay's parliamentary status. Despite it being her turn, Speaker of the Parliament Numan Kurtulmuş assigned Celal Adan to preside over the General Assembly instead of Deputy Speaker Gülizar Biçer Karaca. This situation drew a reaction from Karaca.

In a written statement, Karaca stated that this decision constitutes a violation of the Constitution, the law, and democracy. She used the expressions, "This arbitrary practice is a usurpation of the Constitution and democracy. Disregarding the constitutional order is the declaration of an authoritarian tutelage regime."

Karaca emphasized that the 105-year prestige of the TBMM has been damaged and that the principle of "Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation" is being used merely as a decoration. Stating that the Constitutional Court's decision must be respected, Karaca said, "The people of Hatay have elected Şerafettin Can Atalay as their representative, and this will must be respected."

Karaca argued that this stance by Kurtulmuş is a violation of impartiality and amounts to a systematic embargo on representation against the opposition. She added, "This attitude is an indicator of a mindset that reduces the TBMM to a loyal clerk of the executive branch."

Finally, Karaca stated that the Parliament is not the house of governments but the house of the nation, and that no political power can usurp the nation's right to sovereignty. She concluded her remarks by saying, "This podium speaks with the Constitution, not with instructions. Sovereignty belongs to the nation."