Turkish Parliament considers further security measures

ANKARA

The meeting comes in the aftermath of an assault from a visitor against main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu on April 8. DHA Photo

Parliamentary speaker Cemil Çiçek on April 10 held a lengthy meeting with the deputy parliamentary group chairs of the four main political parties in order to discuss concerns regarding Parliament’s security.

The meeting comes in the aftermath of an April 8 attack against main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu on April 8.

Representatives from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the CHP, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) and bureaucrats from Parliament prepared a draft on additional security measures. The participants will hold another meeting on April 14. In the meantime, the draft will be introduced to the party leaders.

Meanwhile, the procedure regarding visitors at the Parliament has already been changed. The Parliament administration will from now on receive visitors through an appointment system.

According to records at Parliament, on Tuesdays, when leaders address their parties’ parliamentary group meetings, more than 10,000 people visit the Parliament. The attack Kılıçdaroğlu took place on a Tuesday as he was walking through a crowd in order to get to the meeting hall.