Mehmet Ali Şahin Is New Head of Parliament

As current Speaker of Parliament Köksal Toptan's term in office ends on 9 August, elections took place yesterday and today.

In the first two rounds, were a two-thirds majority would have been necessary, there was no winner.

Following the first two rounds, Hasip Kaplan, candidate for the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP), had withdrawn his candidacy.

Majority in third round

In the third round today, Mehmet Ali Şahin, the candidate of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) received 338 of the votes of the 518 MPs present.

İlhan Kesici from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) gained 103 votes, Münir Kutluata from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) 66, and independent MP Kamer Genç 1 vote.

The CHP and MHP had said that they would not put forward candidates if Toptan stayed in office for another term. When Şahin was put forward by the AKP, the opposition parties also registered candidates.

Following his election, Şahin said, "I am at equal distance to all MPs. I will keep the same distance to all MPs, whether they voted for me or not. I repeat that I will serve with the utmost neutrality."

Who is Mehmet Ali Şahin?

Born in the Ekincik village of Karabük in 1950, he studied law at Istanbul University. After working as a lawyer, he became mayor of the Fatih district of Istanbul.

He was one of the founding members of the AKP. In the 20th, 21st and 22nd legislative periods, he was elected MP from Istanbul, and in the 23rd period from Antalya.

He has served as State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, as well as as Minister of Justice.

He is married and has four children.

When Minister of Justice, Şahin issued a public apology when Engin Çeber died as the result of torture in a police station and prison. 19 officers at the Metris Prison in Istanbul were taken off duty. (TK/AG)