Main opposition CHP appeals to top court to annul parliamentary bylaw amendment

ANKARA

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has appealed to the Constitutional Court, demanding the stay of execution and the annulment of parliamentary bylaw changes approved in July.
 
“We have appealed to the Constitutional Court for the stay of the execution and annulment of the parliamentary bylaw, which we regard as a violation to the constitution, on grounds that it silences the voice of the opposition, lifts the opposition’s supervision power, prevents the opposition from bringing an agenda to parliament, and makes legislative activities nonfunctioning. It was approved by the ruling party’s majority,” CHP group deputy chair Levent Gök said on Sept. 15 after the party appealed to the top court.

The Turkish parliament on July 27 voted for an 18-article internal regulation amendment prepared jointly by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) at a plenary session.
 
The amendment includes changes in the working hours of the parliament, methodic changes in the procedure of legislating draft laws, voting, making an oath and durations for giving speeches.
 
Amid heated debates in the one-week discussions in parliament, CHP and Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) members had argued the amendment critically limited the opposition’s activity in parliament. 

“The bylaw amendment is a strike against our parliament, our democracy and the rule of law,” Gök said. 
 
“I hope and wish the Constitutional Court will find our appeal rightful and accept our demand for the stay of execution in accordance with the rule of law, the universal principles of modern civilization and democracy, in accordance with the fact that we are a state of law and there is parliamentary democracy and the separation of powers,” he said.