Prime Ministry Calls Parliament Closure a ‘Black Stain’

In a written statement, the Prime Ministry said the Assembly had been in session for more than 18 hours over the past two days with a sufficient quorum to debate and vote on the fibre optic protocol approval bill. It stressed that the government had listened patiently to all criticism, taken note of objections and acted with restraint in order to preserve a democratic atmosphere of debate.

However, the statement alleged that instead of continuing discussions within democratic norms, the main opposition chose to pursue what it called a confrontational approach by stretching and violating the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure.

“The Republican Turkish Party took advantage of the Speaker’s role as acting President and, through its deputy group leaders, instructed that a black flag be hung on the parliamentary rostrum, despite knowing this was contrary to the Rules of Procedure,” the Prime Ministry said. “Subsequently, under instructions given to the presiding officer, a session that should have been suspended was deliberately brought to a close.”

Describing the incident as a “black stain” in the history of parliament, the Prime Ministry said that despite the government’s clear will to keep the Assembly open and continue proceedings while quorum was present, the General Assembly was adjourned until Monday.

The statement added that the CTP had attempted on at least three occasions to shut down parliamentary work in full view of the public, accusing the party of acting in an anti-democratic manner and trampling on parliamentary rules.

“This situation is incompatible with democratic practice,” the Prime Ministry said, stressing that it strongly condemned the actions taken to prevent the Assembly from continuing its work.