Behind the scenes of the chaotic Can Atalay session in the Turkish Parliament: Allegations of a 'call from the Palace'

The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) convened yesterday (August 16) at 2:00 PM for Can Atalay, the Hatay MP from the Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP), regarding whom the Constitutional Court (AYM) had issued a ruling that the revocation of his parliamentary status was "null and void."

AKP member Alpay Özalan attacked TİP Istanbul MP Ahmet Şık. The session was adjourned 5 times due to the incidents that occurred in Parliament. During the scuffle in the Assembly, CHP member Okan Konuralp and DEM Party Group Deputy Chair Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit sustained cuts to their eyebrows.

REJECTED BY MAJORITY VOTE

In the final session held after the chaotic proceedings, the opposition's request for a general debate regarding Can Atalay was rejected by a majority vote.

BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE CHAOTIC MEETING

The events that took place behind the scenes of the Can Atalay session in the TBMM have emerged.

According to a report by Cumhuriyet, after AKP member Bekir Bozdağ adjourned the session at 2:54 PM, the group deputy chairs of the parties evaluated imposing penalties on both TİP member Ahmet Şık and AKP member Alpay Özalan. It was noted that initially, "it was considered to give only a reprimand" to both individuals. However, it was learned that the opposition subsequently objected to this proposal, stating, "Ahmet Şık made a verbal provocation, but there was a physical assault with punches in return. The penalties here should not be the same."

ALLEGATIONS OF A 'CALL FROM THE PALACE'

It was learned that during the meetings, the opposition requested a "suspension from the session" penalty for Alpay Özalan instead of a reprimand. However, it was reported that the ruling party did not accept this proposal. Opposition sources, stating that the ruling party entered into an internal meeting following the proposal for suspension, alleged: "After our proposal, the ruling party MPs made a phone call. A directive likely came from the Palace. When they returned, they suddenly said, 'Let's not have this penalty, let's not give any penalty.' It was also said that Numan Kurtulmuş, instead of Bekir Bozdağ, would come to preside over the session."

OPPOSITION THREATENS TO WALK OUT

Stating that the opposition reacted to this, the sources used the following expressions:

"The opposition group deputy chairs were in contact for three hours. When the ruling party adopted an attitude leading to impunity, the group deputy chairs said they would take all MPs out and hold a press conference. In other words, a challenge was issued and they left the meeting. During this time, we, as the opposition, thought about the press statement we could make among ourselves. The ruling party also evaluated the situation among themselves. Finally, Bekir Bozdağ adjourned the session once more and said that Numan Kurtulmuş had called the group deputy chairs to the back. As a result of this meeting, it was decided again to give a reprimand to both Özalan and Şık."

On the other hand, it was noted that representatives of the AKP member Özalan's own party also criticized him but defended him with expressions similar to, "But Ahmet Şık also spoke harshly and provoked him."

News Source: 12punto