AKP, MHP distant on extraordinary session

ANKARA

CHP has submitted its appeal to the Parliamentary Speaker’s Office for an extraordinary session to discuss ‘terror and internal and external threats.’ DAILY NEWS photo

The Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) have both given a cold shoulder to the Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) call for an extraordinary parliamentary session to discuss recent attacks by Kurdish militants and Syria’s ongoing conflict.

“There’s no need [for Parliament] to convene an extraordinary session. The government is doing its duty and dealing with both the Syria issue and the activities of the terrorist organization [outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party – PKK] sensibly,” AKP deputy chair Ömer Çelik said late Aug. 6 at a fast-breaking iftar dinner in Adana.

The CHP submitted its appeal to the Parliamentary Speaker’s Office yesterday for an extraordinary session of Parliament’s General Assembly on Aug. 14 to discuss “terror affairs and internal and external threats within the context of relations with Syria and Iraq.” One third of Parliament members, or 184 lawmakers, need to appear at the General Assembly for the extraordinary session to convene.

Distant approaches

Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş made a similar call after the PKK’s weekend attack in Hakkari.

But MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli said it would be useless to discuss the issue for hours in Parliament. “The state should show its force within the region instead,” Bahçeli told reporters Aug. 6.
The AKP holds 324 seats in Parliament, while the CHP has 135, the MHP has 51 and the BDP has 29, meaning the CHP and BDP’s attendance will not be enough to convene an extraordinary session.