Turkish gov’t will 'respect' vote on top judicial posts

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

The government has already lost a first-round vote for elections to the Supreme Court of Appeals election, a part of voting at the HSYK.

The government will respect the results of the upcoming elections at the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK), Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ said Sept. 26, despite previous suggestions it will cancel the results if groups tied to the “parallel state” win the vote.

“The decisions our judges and prosecutors will make [in the elections] are legitimate, similar to the one that was made about the Supreme Court of Appeals,” Bozdağ said.

He added that all other statements had been distorted by the "circles that aim to spread black propaganda."

Bozdağ’s remarks came after Mahir Ünal, a deputy leader of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) parliamentary group, said while commenting on the elections that a group behind the so-called “coup attempt” in December 2013 was trying to take over the judiciary in Turkey.

“A coup in the judiciary is identical to a military coup for us. If a particular group wins these elections, then we will do what is necessary,” Ünal said, adding that the AKP would dismiss the elections as illegitimate in this event.

The words came in stark contrast to the government's typical rhetoric about the inviobility of the ballot box.

Bozdağ said Ünal’s statements were distorted and taken out of context.

The government has already lost a first-round vote for elections to the Supreme Court of Appeals election, a part of voting at the HSYK. No government allies were elected to the three permanent seats at the court, Hürriyet reported, adding that one of the elected members was known as a social democrat.

The other two members, the same report stated, were on a list also backed by court members close to the Gülen movement, which is at odds with the government.

Only one member known for ties to the Unity in Justice Platform (YBP), allegedly linked to the government, was elected as the third substitute member.