Parliament speaker tries to avoid controversy over PM’s tenure
Parliament Speaker Cemil Ãiçek has carefully declined to comment on controversy surrounding the legitimacy and legality of President-elect and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄanâs refusal to resign from his posts as ruling party leader and prime minister.
Rather than commenting directly, Ãiçek stressed that the Republic of Turkey is a state with âsufficient experience to resolve any potential problemâ when the time comes.
âWhy would I get involved in a discussion before the day comes? The water will find its way; Turkey is not a state that is newly founded. This issue doesnât have a dimension that is a matter of close interest to me. Let the day come and then weâll look into it,â Ãiçek told reporters late on Aug. 13, after being asked about the date when ErdoÄanâs term in office as prime minister ends.
When asked whether âthe water will flow according to rules and regulations,â Ãiçek responded, âthe water flows as it should flow.â
The main opposition Republican Peopleâs Party (CHP) has argued that the president-electâs membership of his party, as well as his membership in Parliament, became illegitimate after the Supreme Election Board (YSK) announced the final results of the Aug. 10 presidential election.
CHP Spokesperson Haluk Koç suggested on Aug. 13 that responsibility for announcing the end of ErdoÄanâs tenure lies on the shoulders of Ãiçek.
âIf Mr. Ãiçek doesnât make any abracadabra ⦠Neither the prime minister, nor the Parliament speaker, nor [Justice and Development Party] AKP officials have been granted the right to violate the law,â Koç added.
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