First Reaction by CHP Against ‘Judicial Reform’: Separation of Powers Trampled Upon

* Photograph: Özge Elif Kızıl/ Ankara/ AA

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Republican People's Party (CHP) Group Deputy Chair Özgür Özel held a statement for the press at Parliament yesterday (May 30) and addressed the "Judicial Reform Strategy" document introduced by President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

CLICK - President Erdoğan Announces Judicial Reform Strategy

Özel said, "The head of the executive has been giving information about the duty of the legislative for days and he is now announcing a strategy document. It is one of those days when the separation of powers is trampled upon and one-man rule is confirmed."

Claiming that "the ruling party could not make 200 of its 291 MPs enter the General Assembly Hall of the Parliament", Özel argued that the legislative activities could not be carried out.

'They don't come to General Assembly'

Stating that "the Constitution of Erdoğan" has collapsed, the Parliament is non-functional and the MPs, who are paid almost 20 thousand liras per month, do not do the favor of coming to the General Assembly Hall, Özgür Özel continued as follows:

"They have surrendered their wills to the palace. In one room, they work on justice; in rest of the rooms, ministers bargain for some other law. It is not acceptable that the ones without any influence, authority or power that is derived from the nation are made to do this"

'Head of executive introduces document on legislative'

"First comes the word, then the law... It is done with law. What good does a judicial reform do to you, if you can do it with a Presidential decree?

"It will be done here, votes will be cast here. The head of the executive has been giving information about the duty of the legislative for days and he is now holding a meeting and announcing a strategy document.

"It is one of those days when the separation of powers is trampled upon and one-man rule is confirmed."

'He listed reforms prepared in AKP's kitchen'

Stating that "appointed civil servant, technician minister without the votes of the nation behind him, namely Minister of Justice Abdulhamit Gül, who cannot be interpellated, listed the reforms prepared in the kitchen of the AKP", Özel also made the following remarks:

"He even made a call to the opposition parties. God knows, MHP [Nationalist Movement Party] Group Deputy Chairs and MPs are perhaps also there, listening to him. He says that a judicial reform will be made. You will do it. What are you listening to? You are a Member of the Parliament. Why do you take instructions from the executive?" (PT/SD)