The UBP-YDP-DP government has failed to elect a parliamentary speaker for the third day in a row and could not even open the parliament. UBP’s Zorlu Töre, expected to open the session, first attended a meeting at the presidential palace, then declared that he was ill and was taken to the hospital. Another UBP member, Ali Pilli, also fell ill, leaving the parliament in gridlock, Yeniduzen reports.
Following this, CTP leader Tufan Erhürman held a press conference, proposing early elections for December 15, 2024. He said recent events proved the country was ungovernable and added that it was unrealistic to expect anything from this government. He called for a return to the people’s will.
Prime Minister Ünal Üstel responded 48 hours later, blaming CTP for the crisis, claiming, “We’re here waiting for the parliament to open, but it’s not happening“. When asked why MPs who previously rejected Kutlu Evren as speaker would now approve him, he dodged the question, calling it an internal UBP matter.
Before Üstel’s statement, government MPs gathered “unlawfully” in the parliamentary chamber, trying to signal that they were ready to proceed if the opposition would allow it. However, CTP refused to participate.
Throughout the day, CTP insisted on early elections, with Erhürman stating they would not prop up the UBP. He described the situation as “tragi-comic“, emphasising that the current political setup had failed and early elections were the only solution. Meanwhile, government coalition leaders, including Erhan Arıklı, accused CTP of blocking parliament.
Despite President Ersin Tatar’s rushed return from Turkey to resolve the deadlock, it made no difference as Töre remained hospitalised.
