Nationalist opposition MHP, Kurdish problem-focused HDP to be closely seated in parliament

ANKARA

The Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) deputies will seat closely in parliament as the two parties secured 80 seats alike in the June 7 general elections. 

Some HDP and MHP deputies will seat right next to each other as several HDP and MHP seats lie along the same rows.

The first sitting of the general assembly of Turkish parliament after the June 7 parliamentary elections is going to be held at 03:00 p.m. on June 23. 

Deputies from the Justice and Development Party (AKP), the Republican People’s Party (CHP), the MHP and the HDP will be seated based on a temporary seating order on June 23 that depends on their shares of the vote. 

The temporary seating order suggests deputies of the AKP will be seated on the far right side of parliament.

Deputies of the CHP, the MHP and the HDP will follow those of the AKP based on their share of the vote each. 

Deputies of the party or coalition in rule are to seat on the very right side of the parliament in case one turns face to the parliament bench, according to a parliamentary tradition. Opposition parties, on the other hand, are placed on the left while the cabinet members will be seated on the right side of parliament.

In the scenario of a coalition government, the parties in rule will together take seats on the right side of the parliament, while opposition lawmakers would take seats on the left.

The June 7 election results will bring a new sitting arrangement for lawmakers at the general assembly of the parliament in the new legislative term. 

As the new government formed, sitting arrangements of the political party lawmakers at the parliament will change according to the structure of the new government.