AKP, MHP reject opposition’s motion to investigate Ankara gun attack

Turkey’s ruling AKP and ally MHP have rejected a parliamentary motion submitted by the main opposition CHP to investigate the Oct. 23 attack at a state aviation site in the capital Ankara in “all its aspects.”

Friday October 25 2024 01:47 pm

Duvar English

A proposal submitted to the Turkish parliament by the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) to investigate the attack on TUSAŞ in “all aspects” was rejected on Oct. 25 by votes from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

CHP deputy İsmail Atakan Ünver spoke on behalf of the group motion and highlighted the peculiar timing of the attack.

Ünver stated that addressing the attack solely from a security perspective would be insufficient and said, "Our painful experiences in the past suggest that, during such periods, our security and intelligence units needed to be more vigilant.”

The deputy noted that Turkey saw similar attacks during the past peace process and between the June 7 and November 1 elections. “After this attack, we must ask: who was behind the trigger, their purpose, why this timing and location, and who bears responsibility for the failure to prevent it? This attack on TUSAŞ threatens not only the security of one institution but also the future of our country."

Deputy Mehmet Karaman from the Islamist opposition Felicity Party (SP) spoke in favor of the proposal, “It is clear when we consider the timing of this action. This creates fear and insecurity among our citizens and weakens social bonds.

The party was ready to “make any sacrifice” for the prosperity of the country “without compromising our principles.” He finally called on all stakeholders, especially those in power, “Let us do what is necessary for peace in a manner befitting the state. If someone seeks to hinder this, remember you cannot shake hands with clenched fists."

The pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party İzmir deputy İbrahim Akın condemned the attack on behalf of the party. “I say in earnest that achieving real peace has become an imperative for Turkey. Turkey urgently needs peace. For years, we have been saying that this violence hurts us all. This is not an issue to be sacrificed for the benefit of any political party. It is an issue for all the people of Turkey.”

He continued, “We can no longer silently observe and review from afar. We must say ‘stop.’ The path to democratic politics must be opened. We believe it is impossible to speak of peace in such an authoritarian environment. That is why we call for a roadmap to restore order.”