The ruling party closes the door on by-elections once again

Debates over by-elections, which have found a place on the political agenda, continue with mutual statements from the ruling party and the opposition. AKP Deputy Chairman Hayati Yazıcı stated in his assessment of the issue that Turkey does not have a by-election agenda.

AKP FRONT: "NOT ON OUR AGENDA"

Regarding the by-election claims, AKP Deputy Chairman Hayati Yazıcı stated, "If there is one year left until the scheduled election, there cannot be a by-election. Turkey has no by-election agenda."

President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had previously displayed a similar stance in his own assessment, using the words, "There is no by-election on our agenda."

MEETING STEP FROM ÖZGÜR ÖZEL

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, on the other hand, presented a different approach regarding by-elections. Stating that he would meet with the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), Numan Kurtulmuş, Özel said, "I will visit Mr. Numan Kurtulmuş next week. In fact, all our demands are very clearly about compliance with the constitution."

"THE AUTHORITY TO DECIDE LIES WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY"

TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş drew attention to the constitutional framework in his statement regarding calls for by-elections. Kurtulmuş used the following expressions:

"It is very clear in our Constitution under what conditions a by-election can be held, 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. How a by-election can be held is specified in the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure. This happens when those conditions are met, but the one to decide is the General Assembly, 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 TBMM Speaker's Office here. I would advise those who say otherwise to read the constitution and the rules of procedure."

ÖZEL'S RESPONSE TO KURTULMUŞ

Responding to Kurtulmuş's statements, Özgür Özel used the following expressions in his assessment:

"He has set up many tables and spoken at many tables until now. If a member of parliament were to submit a by-election bill, no one would say, 'Why is the Speaker of the Parliament doing this?' Mr. Numan has made a balancing adjustment to Erdoğan's words that 'There is no by-election on our agenda,' saying, 'The mandatory provisions of the Rules of Procedure and the Constitution are clear.' In other words, he is saying, 'It is obvious that this by-election is a constitutional necessity, but I am not a party to it.' I am saying, either bring the parties together or take the side of complying with the Constitution."

ERDOĞAN HAD ALSO CLOSED THE DOOR

Erdoğan, closing the door to Özel's call for a by-election, had said, "Turkey is moving towards its goal with firm steps without getting caught up in artificial agendas through the futile efforts of the main opposition. Our government is in control of its agenda. No one can impose an agenda on us. No one can divert or infect Turkey's agenda with artificial debates. I want it to be known that neither our government nor our nation has an early or by-election in their short-term political coordinates."

ÖZGÜR ÖZEL SHARED A DOCUMENT

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, in his statement today, recalled the Siirt elections where Erdoğan was first elected as a member of parliament, and by sharing the by-election application of a former AKP deputy from 26 years ago, he said:

"I am addressing Erdoğan, who says 'There is no by-election on my agenda.' In 2002, Erdoğan could not become a member of parliament in the parliament. He owes his existence and presence to a by-election. Holding a by-election does not eliminate the demand for an early election. When an early election is held, the calendar for a by-election stops, and the demand becomes unnecessary. But while a government is avoiding an early election, a by-election, which is ordered to be held absolutely according to the Constitution, is a litmus test," he said.

News Source: 12punto