Diyarbakır 3rd Administrative Court halted the execution of co-chair model created by the municipal assemblies of Çınar, Hani, Silvan, Bismil, Lice, Sur and Bağlar districts of the southeastern province of Diyarbakır.
According to Hürriyet newspaper, the court ruled that the model violated the existing Turkish law. The administrative deeds of co-chairs might be considered as invalid.
Court: No such regulations
The ruling emphasized that the aforementioned model approved by municipal assemblies allowed the sharing of competencies of elected mayors with a person called “co-chair”. It considered that the model disabled the mayors to use their competencies on their own and no regulations have been made in the Constitution and Law No 5393 on Municipalities.
Governor complained as well
Diyarbakır Governor’s Office recently filed a complaint, saying that the aforementioned model violated the existing laws. It requested the halt of execution. The request is being processed by Diyarbakır 1st Administrative Court.
“The parliament must amend the law”
Commenting on the ruling, Diyarbakır Bar Association Chairperson Tahir Elçi said several political parties and organizations already transitioned to co-chair model on the practice.
“There are examples in the world. If the court doesn’t consider the model as valid, then the parliament must amend the law accordingly.” (AS/BM)
* Click here to read the article in Turkish.
