Arıklı emphasised that the internal regulations of the Assembly must be followed, rejecting any suggestions that Zorlu Töre, a candidate in the election, tampered with the results. According to him, the Chief Public Prosecutor’s opinion would be binding on all parties, clarifying any legal uncertainties. However, Arıklı expressed a personal view that the regulations were flawed. He argued that, according to the current rules, even a candidate receiving just one vote in the fifth round of voting could still be declared the winner. This view was supported by some legal professionals within the Assembly.
When asked about potential outcomes if the Chief Public Prosecutor’s opinion were unfavourable, Arıklı indicated that the ruling party, UBP, would convene to select a new candidate. He downplayed concerns about exceeding the ten-day deadline for electing a Speaker, referencing past instances where delays occurred. Arıklı also dismissed speculation about a fracture within the government, asserting that some MPs may have voted negatively but not in a way that threatened the coalition’s unity.
Erhürman described the situation as a “farce“, claiming that games were being played during the final stages of the election. He dismissed the notion that a single affirmative vote in a 50-member parliament could result in someone being elected Speaker, calling it an absurd interpretation of parliamentary rules.
The CTP leader argued that the country was spiralling into a political crisis, which had only been exacerbated by recent events. He reiterated that the demand for early elections had long been brewing and that the political system, as it stood, was dragging the country into further instability. According to Erhürman, holding fresh elections would benefit both the public and the political establishment.
