Independent ministers’ oath sparks quarrel at Turkish Parliament

ANKARA

AA Photo

The issue of whether the independent ministers of the interim government will take the ministerial oath sparked debate at parliament on Sept. 3, during a session held to vote on a motion to reauthorize the Turkish military to conduct cross border operations in Iraq and Syria. 

The Republican People’s Party (CHP) objected to the oath-taking ceremony, saying the eight independent ministers of the interim cabinet should not take it. The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) both supported the CHP in the objection.

Deputy Parliament Speaker Koray Aydın insisted that the independent ministers take the oath, leading to criticism from the three dissenting parties. Aydın then had meetings with the deputy group chairs of the parties to resolve the crisis.

Parliament subsequently voted on the oath several times via electronic voting and in an open vote, eventually deciding that ministers should take the oath four hours later. 

Parliament convened on Sept. 3 to extend the mandate of the Turkish Armed Forces to take military action in Iraq and Syria in an extraordinary session, with the measure due to be in effect for one year.