Table of Six: Legally Erdoğan cannot run for a third term on May 14

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The leaders of the six political parties making up the "Table of Six" coalition on the way to the coming elections in Türkiye scheduled for June met yesterday and made a joint statement after the meeting.

The joint statement declared that it is not legal for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to run for president in an election to be held on May 14 unless there is a Parliament (TBMM) decision. 

Table of Six announced that nevertheless, they are ready for the elections on May 14 as well.

"Türkiye is led by a government that acts illegally, unlawfully, and in lack of order. According to the provisions of the Constitution and the laws which are crystal clear that it is not possible for Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to run for president once again unless TBMM takes a decision [for elections on May 14]. It is yet another huge embarrassment for our history of democracy that he announces his candidacy for a third term unconstitutionally," reads the joint statement by Table of Six.

However, the alliance also announced that they are ready for an election to be held on May 14. "We are ready for an election Erdoğan plans to hold on May 14 with the support we have from our people, with our self-confidence, and with our love for our country," announced the Table of Six.

The joint statement by Table of Six also evaluated some other issues that were on the agenda lately.:

Attacks on Qur'an in Sweden and Netherlands

Table of Six declared that they see the attacks in Sweden and Holland as "hate crimes" and that they denounce the governments allowing these acts.

The statement also drew attention to the timing of the attacks and said, "these provocations that occur abroad and that always coincide with the election period are being observed by us carefully."

Headscarf Amendment to Constitution "insincere"

The statement declared that the proposal submitted by the People's Alliance to TBMM for a headscarf amendment to the Constitution was worded so as to question the "religious belief" of a woman wearing a headscarf.

This, the statement announces, reflects that "the People's Alliance has the purpose of using the right of women to wear a headscarf insincerely for political gain."

Roadmap to be announced on January 30

The statement of Table of Six also declares that the "Roadmap for the Transition Process" which is "nearly completed" was being evaluated together with the process of determining the candidate for the President and the Common Policies Agreement Text to be announced on January 30.

The statement says that the Table is "working on naming the candidate for President in a way to reflect their consultation, agreement and the preferences of the people." (AEK/PE)