Erdoğan scolds AKP lawmakers over not attending parliamentary meetings

Turkish President Erdoğan has scolded ruling AKP lawmakers over not attending the parliament’s General Assembly meetings. “I learned that our (party) group unfortunately had difficulties in attending the meetings in the General Assembly. If you do not fulfill your duties, your salaries become haram,” Erdoğan said.

Wednesday February 01 2023 06:09 pm

Erdoğan giving speech during the AKP's parliamentary group meeting on Feb. 1 (AA)

Duvar English

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Feb. 1 scolded his Justice and Development Party (AKP) lawmakers over not attending the parliament’s General Assembly meetings.

“I learned that our (party) group unfortunately had difficulties in attending the meetings in the General Assembly. This upset me. Public pays their salaries. If you do not fulfill your duties as lawmakers, your salaries become haram,” Erdoğan said while speaking at AKP’s parliamentary group meeting, meaning that they do not deserve the salary they receive.

AKP's 96 lawmakers (out of 286) did not attend the last meeting at the parliament’s General Assembly that was held on Jan. 26, online news outlet Diken reported.

On the other hand, Erdoğan criticized the election manifesto that the main opposition bloc Nation Alliance announced this week.

“They are incapable of nominating a presidential candidate yet. Still, we said let's see what they prepared, I wish we hadn't. We are very sorry not for ourselves, but for those who hope for these parties,” Erdoğan said.

Erdoğan also talked about the NATO bids of Sweden and Finland.

“We are positive on Finland, but not on Sweden. As long as you allow my holy book, the Quran, to be burned, we will not say yes,” Erdoğan said.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has thrust the debate over NATO expansion into a campaign ahead of Turkey's tight presidential and parliamentary elections in May, rallying his supporters.

Last week, Turkey suspended NATO talks with Sweden and Finland over the protests in Stockholm, including the Quran burning.