What did CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş discuss: 'We will look at it and make our decision accordingly'

CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu, in a statement to journalist and author Murat Yetkin, responded to a question about whether he discussed the new Constitution debates with Kurtulmuş by saying, "Our position on a new Constitution is clear; it bears the signatures of six parties, including the CHP. We will remain persistent on this. However, we do not know what kind of proposal the AK Party will bring. When it arrives, we will look at it and make our decision accordingly. Rest assured, we barely touched upon the subject of the Constitution; only a few sentences while presenting it." 

'SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS' WARNING

Kılıçdaroğlu noted the following regarding the visit:

"We mostly talked about the Parliament's Rules of Procedure. We believe that through changes to be made to the Rules of Procedure, it is possible to increase the influence of the Parliament and the value of each individual member of parliament. We explained our suggestions on this matter to the Speaker.

The legislative body is under the pressure of the executive. For example, the moment the President says 'Let this person's immunity be lifted,' that person's summary of proceedings (fezlekeler) is immediately brought to the forefront. We stated that it is wrong for these summaries of proceedings to turn into a tool of pressure by the ruling power over the opposition, and that the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) should show sensitivity in this regard, taking the principle of representation into account.

"RESEARCH MOTIONS SHOULD BE PERMITTED"

There are 600 members of parliament in the TBMM. Members serving on parliamentary commissions can still express their views there. Those who remain outside the commissions only raise and lower their hands during votes. However, if research commissions were established, the legislative body could produce valuable work there with the participation of the state structure, bureaucracy, universities, and civil society. I took part in research commissions when I was a member of parliament, and very useful work was being done. Therefore, research motions should also be permitted."

News Source: 12punto