New term in Parliament sets parties into motion for assignments

As the election of the parliamentary speaker and the assignment of several posts are to be finalized in the upcoming period, the start of the new term in Parliament on Oct. 1 has galvanized many in political parties.

The Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) rejuvenation process, which affected its provincial and district organizations and the Cabinet, is expected to continue in the AK Party's decision on the assignments for the duties in Parliament. The Republican People's Party (CHP), on the other hand, is expected to make changes in assignments, while the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) are not expected to alter the current names for positions such as parliamentary deputy speaker, parliamentary administrative authority and secretary members.

With a reshuffle in the cabinet and alterations in its provincial and district organizations in the framework of the rejuvenation process, the AK Party is expected to make changes in various positions. On one hand, the ruling party is to reportedly nominate current Parliament Speaker İsmail Kahraman once again, but on the other hand, there are rumors that the AK Party would nominate AK Party Deputy Chairman Hayati Yazıcı or former Food Agriculture and Livestock Minister Faruk Çelik for the position. The election for parliament speaker is held every two years on a regular basis.

Former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu is also among the names rumored to be nominated for the post. The ruling party is also expected to alter the parliamentary administrative authority and secretary members. The AK Party is also expected to alter the majority of members of the Bureau of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). Currently, the AK Party has 13 chairs in the TBMM, which consists of 23 members.

The CHP is expected to assign Istanbul Deputy Akif Hamzaçebi as parliament speaker one more time. However, it is reported that some CHP deputies want Hamzaçebi to be named group deputy chairman rather than deputy parliament speaker. In this case, the CHP is expected to choose from the likes of Gülsün Bilgehan, Şafak Pavey, Bilhun Tamalaylıgil or İlhan Kesici as parliamentary deputy speaker. As for the group deputy chairman, it is being reported that Levent Gök will not be a candidate, and there is a great number of candidates for the position. Tufan Köse is expected to once again be a candidate for the parliament's administrative authority.

The MHP and the HDP are expected not to change the current names for positions. MHP deputies Erkan Haberal and Mehmet Necmettin Ahrazoğlu are expected to again be the parliamentary administrative authority and secretary member, respectively. The HDP's Pervin Bulan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder are expected to stay in their positions, as well.