PodcastAKP prepares for congress, CHP closes applications for presidential primary
The Turkish Parliament is off to a busy week, as the ruling AKP continues preparations for its Feb. 23 congress, where leadership changes were expected. Meanwhile, the main opposition CHP closed the applications for its primary process to select a presidential candidate.
Ceren Bayar / Gazete Duvar
The Turkish Parliament concluded a quiet week by passing the Justice Academy Law. This week, the General Assembly was expected to discuss the proposed Cybersecurity Law.
Under the proposal, authorities could conduct searches, make copies, and seize materials in homes and workplaces upon the order of a prosecutor or board chair in cases where delay posed a risk to national security, public order, or the prevention of cyberattacks.
Opposition criticizes cybersecurity law
Opposition parties and press organizations argued that the bill was no different from a censorship law. The proposal stipulated prison sentences of two to five years for individuals who allegedly created the perception of a data leak in cyberspace to target institutions or individuals, even if no actual data breach occurred.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) was also expected to present a Climate Change Bill to parliament this week.
Party leaders to speak at group meetings
Political party leaders were set to deliver statements on key issues during group meetings on February 18 and 19. Topics included the government-appointed trustee in the eastern Van province, statements from the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD), internal disputes within the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), and other political developments.
AKP's Feb. 23 congress
Three major political events were expected this week. The AKP continued preparations for its large congress scheduled for Feb. 23. As congress preparations progressed, discussions focused on the scope of expected changes in the party’s Central Decision and Executive Board (MKYK) and Central Executive Board (MYK), as well as the structure of the AKP’s new leadership.
CHP primary timeline begins
In the CHP, the timeline for the primary election to determine the party’s presidential candidate officially began this week. Candidates participating in the primary had until Feb. 14 to submit applications. Technical preparations for the election continued at the party’s provincial and district branches and headquarters.
İmralı delegation in Northern Iraq
The İmralı delegation was set for an intensive schedule this week. The delegation met with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) leaders Nechirvan Barzani and Masoud Barzani in Erbil on Feb. 16.
On Feb. 18, they are scheduled to travel to Sulaymaniyah for talks with Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Bafel Talabani and other party officials. After returning from Northern Iraq, the delegation planned to request an appointment with the Justice Ministry for another meeting with the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on İmralı Island.
(English version by Ayşenaz Toptaş)
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