PodcastAKP to hold closed session in parliament, no emergency meeting with opposition
Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) will submit a motion to hold a closed session March 3 with Defense Minister Hulusi Akar informing deputies of recent developments in Idlib. Some 33 Turkish soldiers were killed by the Syrian army, raising the death toll of Turkish nationals in Idlib this month to 54.
Duvar English
Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) will submit a motion to parliament on Feb. 28 for a closed session to be held on Mar. 3 with Defense Minister Hulusi Akar to inform deputies on the most recent developments in Northern Syria.
"As the parliament, we find it suitable to hold a closed session but there is no need for an emergency session," AKP Group Deputy Chairman Naci Bostancı said.
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Group Deputy Chairman Özgür Özel had presented a motion calling for an emergency meeting at the Turkish Parliament on Feb. 29.
Özel's motion suggested the holding of an emergency meeting in parliament at 2 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 29 to assess developments in Idlib.
As Özel's motion was denied, CHP will be holding a closed session in Parliament Feb. 29.
CHP Spokesperson Faik Öztrak condemned the rejection of Özel's motion in a press conference, noting the constitutionality of the request for an emergency meeting.
The Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Turkey is represented by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and is inseparable from parliament, Öztrak said.
"Parliament should be informed directly, not through assigned ministers; but by President Erdoğan; it is a necessity concerning the moral integrity of parliament, "Öztrak said.
Pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) also made a call to Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop for an emergency session.
"It's not too late to backtrack from past mistakes," said the opposition party.
The Syrian government's troops killed some 33 Turkish soldiers in the military hot spot, raising the past month's total death toll in Idlib at 54.
In addition to that, Ankara has declared it will no longer stop migrants from crossing over to Europe in anticipation of a new wave of migrants fleeing from the conflict in Idlib.