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CHP's appeal to top court runs against Copenhagen criteria
“CHP's stance against democracy and reforms has caused me to drift between hopelessness and surprise. Turkey needs to reach a compromise on fundamental issues despite all political differences. Without such compromise, it would be difficult for Turkey to progress in its EU bid and protect its political and economic stability amid the global financial crisis,” Özdemir stated.
The prominent politician went on to note that the CHP has serious problems in complying with the requirement of modernization and orientation towards the West.
Özdemir's remarks came as criticism of a move by the main opposition party, which applied earlier this week to the Constitutional Court for the nullification of a newly ratified law, which allows civilian courts to try members of the military and bars military tribunals from prosecuting civilians.
The law was, however, approved in Parliament with the backing of all opposition parties, but the CHP and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) later claimed that they had not been notified of the full scope of the legislative change. The law allows civilian courts to try members of the armed forces who are accused of such crimes as threats to national security, constitutional violations, organizing armed groups and attempts to topple the government.
CHP demands annulment of 33 laws in three years
The main opposition CHP, which is better known for its strong opposition to governmental efforts to harmonize Turkish laws with those of European Union member countries in a bid to strengthen Turkey's bid to join the union, has applied to the Constitutional Court for annulment of 33 laws in the past three years.
The CHP took two laws to the top court in 2007; twenty-three in 2008 and eight in 2009. Among these were an amendment on the Law on Judges and Prosecutors, the Foundations Law and the Law on the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT).
The main opposition party also took a controversial bill on clearing landmines along the Turkish-Syrian border passed last month to the Constitutional Court. The law drew the ire of opposition parties because it could allow foreign companies to do the job in return for the right to farm fertile land for up to 44 years after the demining is completed in five years' time. During heated debates surrounding the bill before its adoption in Parliament opposition parties said the measure was contrary to Turkey's national interests.
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