Statement from Akşener on Constitutional Court-Supreme Court crisis: Such polarization and conflicts will have disastrous consequences

Meral Akşener, the leader of the Good Party (İYİ Parti), commented on the crisis that erupted between the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court (AYM) regarding TİP Hatay Deputy Can Atalay, stating that there could be very “disastrous” consequences. Akşener expressed concerns about a serious crisis that targeted the constitutional state concept.

Stating that there is an apparent risk of the Constitutional Court becoming unable to perform its duties, Akşener said, “Therefore, the current situation is actually a crisis of ‘constitution/state’.” Referring to the decision of the 3rd Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court not to comply with the Constitutional Court’s decision on human rights violations, Akşener expressed their concerns about the constitutional legal order.

“Our expectation is for the President to emphasize the finality and binding nature of Constitutional Court decisions”

Meral Akşener, commenting on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s statement that he would be a “referee, not a party,” stated the following regarding the matter:

“With this statement, Mr. Erdoğan, by stating that he will take rapid steps to prevent the difference of opinion between our institutions from turning into a constitutional and systemic crisis, and by meeting with the representatives of our high judicial institutions, has indicated that he will find a solution to the matter. I believe that this change in attitude is important to contribute to the solution of the crisis we are experiencing and hope that more will follow.”

“Our legitimate expectation to end the crisis is for President Erdoğan to emphasize, within the framework of the duties and responsibilities given by the Constitution, the finality and binding nature of Constitutional Court decisions and to support the Constitutional Court within the order determined by the Constitution and laws against a decision that would effectively suspend the rule of law.”

“In the face of the decision of the 3rd Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court targeting the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), it will be important for the Speaker of the TBMM to emphasize the binding nature of Constitutional Court decisions and to take a stance that indicates he will act in accordance with the final decision within the framework of the duties written in the Constitution, in order to protect the functioning and legality of the TBMM.” (EN)