Response from Yeniden Refah Party to Özgür Özel: 'No to by-elections, yes to early elections'

Response from Yeniden Refah Party to Özgür Özel: 'Not by-elections, but early elections'

Following the Central Executive Board meeting held at the party headquarters, he answered questions from members of the press regarding the agenda. Speaking after the meeting, Kılıç addressed the statements made by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel regarding the holding of by-elections in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).

Yeniden Refah Party (YRP) Deputy Chairman Suat Kılıç said regarding CHP Chairman Özgür Özel's 'by-election' demand, 'Instead of forcing Turkey into a by-election, we see forcing the government into an early election as a more correct step.'

In response to a journalist's question regarding the by-election debates in the TBMM, Kılıç emphasized that his party's stance on this issue is clear. Kılıç reiterated that they, as a party, are in favor of early elections, stating, 'The Yeniden Refah Party's position is clear: we say no to by-elections and yes to early elections.'

The YRP Deputy Chairman spoke about the conditions for parliamentary by-elections in the Constitution, saying, 'A by-election becomes mandatory if 5 percent of the total number of seats in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, which is 30 deputies, becomes vacant. Currently, there are only 8 vacant seats in the TBMM. Additionally, it is required that 22 more deputies resign and this situation be accepted in the General Assembly; otherwise, a by-election is out of the question.'

Kılıç stated that a by-election held under current conditions would be a forced situation due to these constitutional requirements, adding, 'We believe that using this opportunity arising from the Constitution as a tool for political maneuvering will not contribute to the country. Instead of forcing Turkey into a by-election, we see forcing the government into an early election as a more correct step. When Turkey's current economic and social conditions are taken into account, an early general election has become a necessity, but for now, a by-election is not what the country needs.'

The 'by-election' call brought up by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel at his party's group meeting had sparked debate on the political agenda. Özel had implied that the government was holding back on this issue with the words, 'It has been done since 1960. Since 1960, İnönü did not run away from this, Demirel did not run away, Ecevit did not run away, Özal did not run away, Erbakan did not run away; Erdoğan will run away.'

News Source: 12punto