Opposition parties in Turkish Parliament in turmoil over recent lawmaker resignations

Duvar English

The existence of the Felicity-Future Alliance, the Turkish Parliament’s fourth opposition parliamentary group, has been in danger following the recent resignation of Future Party MP Nedim Yamalı on Dec. 24.

To form a parliamentary group, at least 20 lawmakers are needed. This grants political parties further privileges in the Parliament, such as representation in committees and the ability to hold weekly group meetings in a private hall.

After MP Yamalı joined the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the number of lawmakers in the Felicity-Future Alliance decreased to 19, one below the necessary threshold.

In the last general elections, DEVA and Future Party, founded by former AKP members, and Islamist opposition Felicity Party ran under the main-opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). In total, 35 lawmakers from these parties were elected.

In July, Felicity and Future formed an alliance to have a parliamentary group upon failure to have a grand coalition between the three.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's statement on Dec. 25, "Our doors are open to those who want to join us," has sparked speculation that other MPs from these parties might also join the AKP. 

Yamalı defended his joining to the AKP by saying, "We believe that political formations and veins close to each other in the conservative community should be together. We will continue to fight on these fronts again."

Previously, CHP lawmaker Ali Fazıl Kasap joined the Felicity Party following the death of Felicity Party MP Hasan Bitmez on December 12, 2023, thus maintaining the existence of the fourth opposition group in the opposition front. 

While the "umbrella group" formula among the three opposition parties has been discussed again in the parliament, the first agreement was reached between the Felicity Party and the DEVA Party to continue the parliamentary group.

In this context, it was announced on Dec. 26 that DEVA Party MPs Mehmet Emin Ekmen and Ertuğrul Kaya would join the Felicity Party to keep the existence of the parliamentary group.

It has been also discussed in parliamentary circles that negotiations at the level of party leaders would continue for the formation of an umbrella alliance that will include the other lawmakers of the DEVA Party.

Progress has been reportedly made in the meetings between Felicity Party Chair Mahmut Arıkan and DEVA Party Chair Ali Babacan, and that a meeting was also held with Future Party Chair Davutoğlu.

Felicity Party Group Deputy Chair Bülent Kaya on Dec. 26 said, "For the last two months, our efforts to form a stronger group in the Parliament as Felicity, DEVA, and Future have reached the final stage. Mr. Yamalı's resignation happened just as we were about to make a positive decision on this. We have made significant progress towards the merger of the three political entities. Felicity, Future, and DEVA can unite."

However, later on Dec. 26, DEVA Party founder and lawmaker Mustafa Yeneroğlu announced his resignation from the party. 

Yeneroğlu stated, "Since the local elections in March 2024, we have been unable to face our increasingly deepening problems; unable to establish camaraderie; unable to institutionalize working conditions; and unable to establish strong communication with society and effectively guide politics due to remaining sterile. Despite all our efforts, these issues have not been resolved."

According to the parliament’s official statistics as of Dec. 26, the table below shows the number of lawmakers from each party:

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