This week in the Turkish Parliament: 9th Judicial Package and Defense Industry Support Fund on the agenda

The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) General Assembly will begin its weekly work on Tuesday, October 15.

The General Assembly will discuss a bill for consumer protection and the 9th Judicial Package.

According to this proposal, the formal requirements for contracts between lenders and consumers will be enabled through methods that include identity verification via an information or electronic communication device.

Matters regarding the direct sales system will be regulated, and the rights and obligations of the parties will be clarified. The mediation institution will also be allowed to be applied to provisions regarding commercial advertisements and unfair commercial practices.

Supportive measures will be taken to increase the competitiveness of domestic marketplaces against foreign-origin marketplaces, to increase employment levels, and to accelerate export growth to encourage more businesses to turn toward exports.

9TH JUDICIAL PACKAGE

The TBMM General Assembly is also expected to begin deliberations on the Bill on Amendments to Certain Laws, known publicly as the "9th Judicial Package."

According to the 9th Judicial Package, the number of questions in the Entrance Exam for Legal Professions and the Administrative Judiciary Preliminary Exam will be increased from 100 to 120.

Changes will be made to the number of candidates to be called for the Judge and Prosecutor Assistant Interview; candidates numbering one times more than the announced number of positions will be called for the interview.

The sales procedure for vehicles held in impound lots that have been removed from traffic due to being found or in accordance with legal provisions, and which have not been claimed or sought by their owners within 6 months, will be redetermined.

The crime of insult via audio, written, or visual communication will be removed from the scope of conciliation and included in the scope of advance payment.

Regarding the crime of insult, which is subject to complaint for investigation and prosecution, the complaint period shall not exceed two years from the date the act occurred, regardless of the circumstances.

Those who have completed mediation training and have 20 years of seniority in their profession will be able to register in the mediation registry without taking a written exam. A requirement to be a law graduate will be introduced to become a conciliator.

TERM OF TURKISH SOLDIERS IN LEBANON

Furthermore, the General Assembly is expected to discuss the motion regarding the extension of the term of Turkish soldiers in Lebanon for another year.

TBMM specialized committees will also convene to address items on their agendas.

BILLS DRAWING PUBLIC CRITICISM

The Planning and Budget Committee will begin deliberations on the bill prepared to increase the resources of the Defense Industry Support Fund.

According to this proposal, motorcycles with an engine cylinder volume under 100 cubic centimeters and motorcycles with an engine power of 6 kilowatts or less will be included in the scope of Motor Vehicle Tax (MTV).

Special Consumption Tax (ÖTV) will be collected on unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), wristwatches and pocket watches with a tax base of 5,000 liras and above, and motorized flying toys designed solely for entertainment purposes.

A participation fee of 750 liras will be collected separately from both the buyer and the seller in real estate sales from title deed and cadastre transactions, and 375 liras will be collected from the person on whose behalf the transaction is performed in other transactions.

Holders of credit cards with a limit of 100,000 liras and above will pay an annual participation fee of 750 liras per card.

In notaries, if real estate sales are conducted by notaries, a participation fee will be collected in the determined amount; 3,000 liras for the registration of vehicles being registered for the first time, 1,500 liras for all types of sales and transfers of registered vehicles, and 75 liras per transaction for other transactions where a notary fee is charged.

PRESIDENTIAL FINANCE OFFICE AND BRSA TO MAKE PRESENTATIONS

The Petition Committee and the Sub-Committee on Disseminating and Increasing the Level of Financial Literacy in Turkey within this committee will meet separately. Officials from the Presidential Finance Office, the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK), and the Financial Literacy and Inclusion Association will make presentations to the sub-committee.

The Security and Intelligence Committee will also hear from officials from the Presidential Administrative Affairs Directorate, the National Intelligence Organization (MİT), the General Directorate of Security, the Gendarmerie General Command, and the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) during its closed-door meetings as part of the deliberations on the 2023 Report on State Intelligence Services and Security and Intelligence Activities.

AKP CONTINUES PREPARATIONS FOR BILLS

AKP deputies, under the chairmanship of Group President Abdullah Güler, are continuing preparations for new bills. Following the completion of the work, a bill containing various regulations for the judiciary, consisting of approximately 24 articles regarding trial durations in appellate courts and notary services, is expected to be submitted to the TBMM Presidency. Additionally, it is planned to bring to the Parliament's agenda a proposal that includes prison sentences for those who sell, carry, or facilitate the entry into the country of main parts of weapons such as barrels, triggers, and firing mechanisms.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the group meetings of the political parties with groups in the Parliament will be held.