Numan Kurtulmuş's first response to Özgür Özel's 'by-election' call

Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel brought up the issue of a by-election following the arrest of Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey. Stating that a decision for a by-election should be made, Özel had said the following:

“I will visit Mr. Numan Kurtulmuş next week. In fact, all our demands are very clearly focused on compliance with the Constitution.

Mr. Kurtulmuş has a responsibility that binds him during this period. Beyond the responsibilities of an ordinary citizen, a member of parliament, or an elected Parliament Speaker, he has a duty that goes beyond all definitions as the head of the commission where all parties have come together and as the owner of the text regarding the implementation of ECHR and Constitutional Court rulings.

On that matter, we will go to him this week after working with a total of 13 parties. Now, regarding the Parliament Speaker's duties to ensure communication and harmony between parties, to fulfill his duties on certain issues, and more—regarding the necessity of fulfilling the requirements of the signature he has placed—Mr. Numan needs to take responsibility and display a clear stance, beyond his role as an observer who is polite and agrees with others.”

Following Özel's call for a by-election, a statement came from Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş.

"It is very clear under what conditions a by-election can be held in our Constitution, and it is clear how the resignation of members of parliament can be accepted. The authority to make a decision on this matter lies with the TBMM (Grand National Assembly of Turkey). How a by-election can be conducted is defined in the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure," said Kurtulmuş, continuing his words as follows:

“When those conditions are met, it happens, but it is the General Assembly that will decide, and it is essential for the General Assembly to make such a decision. In other words, not the slightest initiative has been left to the Office of the Parliament Speaker here. I would advise the friends who say this to read the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure.”

News Source: 12punto