Newsletters
The Turkish Parliament is set to begin its fourth legislative year of the 28th parliamentary term following a 2.5-month break. The new session will be inaugurated with a special opening ceremony chaired by Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus.
Cabinet members, senior judges, military officials, foreign ambassadors, and journalists will attend the ceremony in designated sections of the assembly hall. Following the formal proceedings.
The proceedings will prominently feature an address by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The commencement of the legislative year marks a return to parliamentary business after the summer recess, with several key domestic and foreign policy issues awaiting deliberation.
The event has drawn attention due to the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP)'s decision to skip the gathering.
The assembly’s return follows months of legislative activity and heightened tensions between the ruling party and its main opponent.
The main opposition Republican People’s Party has announced that its members will not participate in the special opening session.
The party’s leadership cited this decision as a response to alleged recent operations targeting its mayors and party affiliates.
As part of the boycott, CHP members will not be present to greet President Erdogan upon his arrival at the parliament, nor will they attend his opening speech.
In response to the CHP's announcement, Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus remarked, "Türkiye must now leave these things behind." He emphasized the importance of participation in state ceremonies, regardless of political differences, as a sign of institutional respect.
Kurtulmus recalled that during the previous legislative year's opening, the CHP had attended with its full roster of members. He noted that the party "lost nothing" from this participation and described such attendance as an indicator of "democratic maturity."
He further distinguished between political opposition and official protocol. While acknowledging the right to criticize the president at rallies, he emphasized the importance of attending official ceremonies where he is present as the head of state.
The situation in Gaza is anticipated to be a primary topic in the president’s remarks. The opening address for the new legislative year also expected to contain significant messages on both domestic and foreign policy issues.
One of the most critical items on this legislative year's agenda will be regulations related to the "Terror-Free Türkiye" process. Within this framework, various amendments are planned for the Turkish Penal Code, Execution Law, and Anti-Terror Law, depending on developments in the process.
Economic regulations also rank among parliament's priority issues for the coming session.
Critical military mandates will be discussed in parliament during October. The mandate for sending troops to Iraq and Syria will be extended for another two years.
Additionally, presidential motions will be considered to extend the duration of Turkish soldiers serving in Lebanon and to continue authorization for participation in UN operations in the Central African Republic for another year.
1 min read
