Turkish opposition resentful over inconsistency regarding summary of proceedings

ANKARA

'When it is the opposition, the summaries of proceedings come with lightning speed,' CHP leader Kılıçaroğlu said. AA photo

Opposition figures have delivered bitter remarks over summaries of proceedings sent to Parliament about two opposition leaders, pointing to a “contradiction” in implementation when it comes to government figures.

A summary of the proceedings on main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has been sent to Parliament, on charges that he insulted a mayor from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Another summary of the proceedings about Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli has been sent to Parliament, on charges that he incited people to commit crime in a speech. 

The two incidents came shortly after the CHP announced last week that it would soon file a censure motion against Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ for committing a constitutional crime by not sending summaries of proceedings about four former Cabinet members to Parliament. All of those former ministers were involved in the massive graft probe launched on Dec. 17. 

“When it is the opposition, the summaries of proceedings come with lightning speed,” Kılıçaroğlu said on Feb. 13 in response to reporters’ questions after attending a meeting in Ankara. “While we have been waiting for the summaries of the proceedings whose corruption has seen the light of the day, our summary of proceedings is coming. For God’s sake, why don’t the summaries of proceedings on the ministers who have been corrupted come to Parliament? What is the reason for this double standard?” 
When asked about the same issue during a visit to the Central Anatolian province of Kırıkkale on the same day, Bahçeli’s response was brief and restrained.

“There are these kinds of practices if the prosecutor’s office considers it necessary. That means there is sensitivity to the extent of drafting a summary of proceeding about our speeches, so it is normal that it comes to Parliament. Whatever demands there are, they will be fulfilled at Parliament,” Bahçeli said.
MHP Secretary-General İsmet Büyükataman, meanwhile, described the situation about Bahçeli’s summary of proceedings arriving at Parliament before disgraced ministers as “ironic.” 

“Nationalism will not be intimidated by sending a summary of proceedings and blackmailing threats that immunities will be lifted,” Büyükataman said in a written statement released Feb. 12.