Summer recess time for Turkish Parliament

ANKARA

Turkish Parliament approves changes on number 35 of the Internal Service Code of the Turkish Armed Forces on the last day of the past legislative year. AA Photo

Parliament entered summer recess on July 13 with plans to reconvene Oct. 1 despite calls from the opposition to resume work in order to finalize certain pieces of legislation that they believe to be urgent and vital.

During the latest session over the weekend, in addition to Deputy Parliamentary Speaker Sadık Yakut, deputy parliamentary group chairs from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), and the three opposition parties, the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), delivered speeches of gratitude.

Last week, before the recess, Parliament debated and approved an omnibus bill which also included employment for some 100,000 contract workers as public servants. The bill led to tension as the ruling AKP votes ensured the passing of a late-night proposal regarding occupational chambers in a June 9 parliamentary session that was interpreted by most as revenge for the Union of Chambers of Architects and Engineers’ (TMMOB) vocal support for the ongoing Gezi movement.

Both the CHP and the BDP had actually prioritized the adoption of a “democratization package,” with the latter arguing that such package was vital for assuring the continuation of the ongoing peace process.

The BDP has sought amendments to the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), the Anti-Terror Law and the Election and Political Parties Law. The CHP additionally asked for a resolution to the controversy over eight deputies who remain under arrest before the summer recess, but all moves were unsuccessful.