Independence Road (Bağımsızlık Yolu) has taken legal action over Ziya Öztürkler’s recent election as Speaker of Parliament, questioning whether the process was legally conducted. The party’s Secretary-General, Umut Ersoy, announced that they filed a “Quo Warranto” case with the Supreme Court, marking a first in legal history, Yeniduzen reports.
Ersoy explained that Independence sees the ongoing crisis as disconnected from public concerns and has now chosen legal action to address it. “What matters to us is addressing and solving the real problems facing the public”, he said, expressing hope that a legal review could resolve the issue.
Lawyer Serkan Mesutoğlu, representing the party, noted that the Speaker election has legal as well as political implications and explained that Quo Warranto allows the court to review whether an appointment or election was legally valid. If the court finds the process invalid, the Speaker’s position could be declared vacant, which Bağımsızlık Yolu is seeking. Mesutoğlu added that this landmark case could set a precedent for future instances where legislative actions are considered unlawful but lack specific remedies.
*Quo Warranto is a legal term from Latin meaning “by what authority.” It is a type of legal action used to challenge whether someone has the legal right or authority to hold a particular office or position. Essentially, it questions the legitimacy of someone’s appointment or election, requiring them to prove that their authority is lawful. If the court finds that the position was assumed without proper legal grounds, it may declare the office vacant.
Currently parliament is unable to function because of the ongoing dispute about the Speaker of the Assembly and how he was installed. The main opposition party – CTP have called on the coalition government to resign. [LGC News Ed.]
