Opposition parties pledge support to Turkey’s fight against COVID-19

Opposition political parties have pledged to contribute to Turkey's ongoing efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus, with calls on parliament to set up a commission to support the medical teams' works across the country, as one person died due to the pandemic, while 98 others are currently infected. 

Parliament has not suspended its legislative works yet, but the political parties have all canceled their weekly parliamentary meetings from where they make their main political statements. Parliament is expected to cease its functions after Health Minister Fahrettin Koca informs the General Assembly on the fight against the coronavirus on March 19.

The leaders of the parties have preferred to convey their messages on the fight against the pandemic either through written statements or video messages. 

"You should not worry. We are standing with you. The CHP will do whatever necessary to overcome this problem all together," Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the chair of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), said through a video message late March 17 in Ankara. 

The only way to address the growing problem concerning the spread of the virus is to follow scientific measures announced by the Science Council under the Health Ministry, Kılıçdaroğlu said, urging the government to follow an inclusive way to resolve the economic and social impacts of the coronavirus. 

"The best way is to gather those who are suffering from the problem with those who are supposed to resolve the problem. We have a constitutional body for that. The Economic and Social Council should immediately be called for a meeting. Industrialists, artisans, farmers, self-employed, health personnel and the Turkish Medical Association should all come together,"...