Turkish Prime Minister Addresses Court Ruling
- 00:02:27
- YouTube
Turkish Prime Minister Addresses Court Ruling
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave a speech for the first time following the decision of the Constitutional Court which annulled the amendment by the parliament that had allowed women to wear head scarves on college campuses. Erdogan said no institution can position itself as the lawmaker. Erdogan, who criticized the main opposition party, said the CHP is provoking tension between judiciary and legislature. Prime Minster Erdogan, who has kept silent on the matter since June 5th, began his speech with a striking introduction addressing his fellow party members: Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish Prime Minister "This is Parliament where the sovereignty of 70 million Turkish citizens is represented. This parliament has never accepted any enforcement shadowing democracy and will never accept." Erdogan remarked the decision of the top court overstepped its authority: Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish Prime Minister "If the legislation is mistaken the judiciary corrects. If the execution is mistaken the public decides through elections. What if the judiciary is mistaken, who will correct the mistake?" Prime Minister Erdogan said the public expects the Constitutional Tribune to explain the ruling. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish Prime Minister "According to the constitution, annulments cannot be proclaimed without justifications. This is written in Article 153 of the Constitution." Erdogan slammed the CHP which claims the Parliament overstepped its authority. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish Prime Minister "What is the CHP trying to do? They are trying to cause a fight between judiciary and legislature" The AK Party meeting continued in a closed session. AK Party deputies hailed in favor of a proposal such that parliamentary activities will not be adjourned until the closure case concluded. Turkish Parliament is normally expected to be closed for holiday in July.
YouTube | January 10, 2009
