CHP pledges not to curtail AKP's proposal to lift immunity

Turkey's main opposition party will lend support to a government proposal on a provisional change in the constitution that would allow parliament to lift the immunities of Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) lawmakers and others for one time only.

Although it affirmed that it was against the constitution, the Republican People's Party (CHP) will not obstruct the proposal, deputy parliamentary group chair Engin Altay said April 13.

The CHP will exert efforts during debates to amend the proposal in a way that would extend to former Justice and Development Party (AKP) ministers Egemen Ba???, Zafer Ça?layan, Muammer Güler and Erdo?an Bayraktar, who were the subject of fraud and corruption allegations in December 2013.

"However, in principle, we do not approve immunities. And when the proposal comes to the plenary floor, be that as it may be flawed, wrong and insufficient, I don't believe that the CHP would take a stance saying 'No, don't let this be lifted, lift if it is like this and don't lift it if it is like that," Altay told reporters in parliament.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu targeted the CHP for not lending support to their proposal to parliament to remove MPs' immunity from prosecution, suggesting that the CHP had actually been worried that the flaws of their deputies would be revealed.

"We haven't seen hide nor hair of the CHP which kept the public busy with the issue of immunity for days, even years," Davuto?lu said, while delivering a speech at a symposium on local governance hosted by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara.

The CHP has been "worried, scared and shy about" having its own deputies being tried before justice, he said.

"Why does [CHP leader Kemal]...