Main opposition MP to resign from parliament council after Kılıçdaroğlu’s call on record expenses claim

ANKARA

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Adana deputy Elif Doğan Türkmen is expected to resign from parliament’s presidential council, the party said on Feb. 3, following CHP head Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu’s criticism of her 1.2 million-Turkish Lira telecommunication expenses claim.

CHP parliamentary group deputy chair Engin Altay said Türkmen stated that she would consider resigning after speaking with Kılıçdaroğlu two days ago. 

“Today the demand from [Kılıçdaroğlu] was readdressed to Mrs. Türkmen. I think she will do the right thing,” Altay added, signaling the resignation of Türkmen. 

The CHP deputy had made use of the unlimited telecommunications expense rights granted to all members of parliament’s presidential council. Under the regulations, regular MPs’ yearly telecommunication expenses amounting to up to two months of their salaries are covered by parliament, but for presidency council member deputies there is no upper limit.