Parliament Prepares for Election of New Speaker

On 9 August, present Speaker of Parliament Köksal Toptan's time in office ends. Parliament is thus convening despite of the holidays to vote for a new speaker on 4 August, and perhaps also on the following day.

The main opposition parties, the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) have decided that if Toptan is a candidate again, they will not offer any candidates of their own.

The first and second rounds of the election are tomorrow (4 August). Should no one be elected in those rounds, there will be two more rounds o the following day.

In the secret vote, 367 people, a two-third majority, need to vote for a candidate for either of the first two rounds to be conclusive.

For the third round, a simple majority of 276 votes would be sufficient. If such a number is not achieved, then there will be a fourth round with the two candidates that have the most votes. In this final round, the candidate with the most votes would be elected.

The first person to register his candidacy was Kamer Genç, independent MP for Tunceli province.

It is said that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wants the Justice and Development Party (AKP) to put forward only one candidate.

Apart from the present speaker, Sali Kapusuz, Burhan Kuzu, Hüseyin Çelik (former Minister of Education) and Mehmet Ali Şahin (former Minister of Justice) are said to want to stand.

The Prime Minister met with Kuzu, Kapusuz, Toptan and Deputy Parliament Speaker Nevzat Pakdil yesterday, as well as with Minister of Education Nimet Çubukçu. (TK/AG)