PM slams CHP for ‘extraordinary’ call

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

We will not allow terrorism to shape Turkey’s parliamentary politics, PM Erdoğan says. DHA photo

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has slammed the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) for its efforts to call an extraordinary session of Parliament to discuss the latest series of clashes with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), describing the attempt as “not only an example of imprudence but also surrender to terrorism.”

“When you look at Spain or Britain, you see opposition parties acting together with the ruling parties against terrorist organizations. The situation in Turkey is totally opposite. The opposition party is making efforts to lend its support to a terrorist organization. The CHP’s attempt to call an extraordinary parliamentary session for Aug. 14 is an example of imprudence as well as surrender to terrorism,” Erdoğan said late Aug. 11, speaking at an iftar dinner in Istanbul.

Responding to the CHP’s appeal to discuss the latest PKK attacks, Parliament Speaker Cemil Çiçek called an extraordinary session of Parliament’s General Assembly for Aug. 14. However, the gathering is unlikely to achieve the required quorum, as the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) have announced that they will not attend, on the grounds that such a session would demonstrate that the PKK was strong enough to cause Parliament to convene. One third of Parliament members, or 184 lawmakers, must attend the General Assembly in order for an extraordinary session to convene. The CHP and the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), who are expected to attend the session, do not hold enough seats to reach the required number.

Terrorism has been used to weaken the government in Turkey, and such efforts are continuing to affect Turkey’s internal politics, Erdoğan said.

“The latest attacks by the terrorist organization [PKK] display that it is the puppet of Turkey’s enemies and serves dark powers. We will not allow terrorism to shape Turkey’s parliamentary politics through the efforts of the main opposition party,” Erdoğan said.

But the CHP is determined in its call for Parliament to meet despite the premier’s criticism. The CHP will hold an extraordinary parliamentary group meeting tomorrow ahead of the extraordinary session of the General Assembly.