AK Party rules out early elections after MYK meeting

“Some columnists, media groups and commentators have suggested that the AK Party is preparing for early elections. I am asking people not to make incorrect comments. General elections will be held in 2011. It is of no benefit to give people false hopes,” Çelik stated on Wednesday at a press conference. His remarks came after a Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting of his party.

There were claims that early elections would be inevitable for Turkey after the closure of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) on Dec. 10 by the Constitutional Court. The party was shut down on charges of separatist activities and close ties to the terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Two top party figures, former leader Ahmet Türk and Co-Chair Aysel Tuğluk, were banned from parliamentary membership for five years. The remaining 19 DTP deputies last week joined the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), which replaced the DTP.

Earlier this week, BDP deputy from Şırnak Hasip Kaplan expressed an expectation for early elections. “We all know the situation in Parliament. Parliament cannot solve any problems. Early elections should be held, and I believe they are on the horizon. I’m calling on our grass roots to be ready for early elections,” he said.

Çelik stated that Turkey should maintain its political stability. “If political stability is maintained, so will economic stability. … Political instability brings with it economic instability,” he added.

The deputy chairman also said the government’s ongoing efforts for a massive democratization package for the settlement of the country’s chronic problems through peaceful methods were discussed during the MYK meeting. Among these problems is the decades-old Kurdish question. Opposition parties, however, remain opposed to efforts to that end.

“The democratic initiative process will continue until the end of terror in Turkey and until Turkish democracy is improved to the level of European countries. This issue has been evaluated once again and the distance the government covered has been assessed. The AK Party has underscored its determination to move forward with efforts for the democratization package,” Çelik remarked.

‘I agree with President Gül  on TSK remarks’

Çelik also addressed an ongoing search by civilian prosecutors at the Tactical Mobilization Group, a unit under the Special Forces Command, as part of a probe into an alleged assassination plot by the military against Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç. He said he agreed with President Abdullah Gül’s remarks on news reports and the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK).

On Wednesday, Gül expressed displeasure over some articles published in the media that included unfounded allegations, particularly against the armed forces.

“I agree with the president on his remarks that institutions should not be blamed for the mistakes of some individuals. There may be people in any institution who have adopted the wrong position, but I don’t think it is either just or justifiable to put the blame on the whole institution. You know, crimes are personal. This is a principle of law. … If there is a person in the armed forces who made a mistake or committed a crime, the whole TSK should not be targeted,” Çelik stated.

Reporters also asked the AK Party deputy chairman about his views on a court order to security forces to apprehend five former DTP members and bring them to court to testify as part of a number of cases in which they are defendants. The cases involve charges of allegedly promoting the cause of a terrorist organization.

Çelik pointed to an article of the Constitution and said justice should be served.

According to the Constitution, if a deputy is charged with a crime “against the indivisibility of the state,” the trial may proceed despite their parliamentary immunity. But the law is not explicit as to which crimes are against the indivisibility of the state.

“We should comply with the law. The law cannot be bent for individuals. This is what I believe,” Çelik added.

The Ankara 11th High Criminal Court on Tuesday ordered security forces to apprehend Türk, Tuğluk, Selahattin Demirtaş and Emine Ayna and bring them to court to testify. A similar order regarding Sebahat Tuncel came on Wednesday.