Ankara has a heavy political agenda ahead
ANKARA – Hürriyet Daily News
Controversy over Gül’s term is likely to be resolved in Parliament this week. AA photo
Ankara has a loaded schedule this week, with the arrest of former top commander İlker Başbuğ expected to dominate Turkey’s political agenda. Meanwhile, controversy regarding President Abdullah Gül’s term is likely to be resolved.Reaction is growing against the arrest of former Chief of the General Staff Başbuğ, as opposition parties slammed the government over the court decision, questioning the judiciary’s credibility. The issue is likely to come to the fore during parties’ group meetings in Parliament tomorrow.
Parliament’s Constitution Commission is scheduled to debate the draft law on the procedural rules of presidential elections Jan. 12, which is expected to fix President Abdullah Gül’s term at seven years. The sub-commission formed for further discussion on the draft law, will submit a report to the Commission Jan. 11.
The bill hiking the lawmakers’ pensions, vetoed by Gül, will be debated in Parliament’s General Assembly again this week. Parliament’s Planning and Budget Commission re-amended the provision on lawmaker pensions, fixing them to 45 percent of the president’s salary, down from 60 percent. Lawmaker pensions will increase from 4,980 to around 6,200 liras if the amendment is approved.
Ankara will also be busy with foreign policy, with tension in the Strait of Hormuz topping the list. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns is due to visit Turkey today to assess diplomatic developments.
