CTP Leader İncirli Calls for Early Elections, Slams Government Over Rule by Decrees

İncirli said the use of decree-laws has dominated parliamentary work, arguing that this approach has hollowed out the legislature. “Your desire to govern by decree has never ended,” she said, noting that since January 2022 the government has enacted more than 200 decree-laws. Prepared behind closed doors, she argued, these measures have effectively stripped parliament of its authority and prevented laws from being openly debated before the public.

Pointing out that more than 20 of the decrees amounted to amnesties, İncirli said this approach signalled the end of parliament’s role. “If this is the case, then there is no obstacle left to early elections. You yourselves accept that the public’s demand for early elections is inevitable,” she said.

“PARLIAMENT MUST BE RENEWED; CHAOS HAS BEEN CREATED”

İncirli stressed that parliament must be renewed, accusing the government of deeply undermining the democratic order. She said the separation of powers had been eroded, adding: “There is nothing functioning in a healthy manner. A state of total chaos has been created in the country.”

Calling on the government to explain the rationale behind the decree-laws, İncirli asked what urgency justified issuing so many measures. Citing a decree-law regulating consumer protection rules, she criticised the introduction of penalties through decree, calling it unacceptable.

She emphasised the need for a balanced relationship between politics and the bureaucracy, arguing that political pressure on the civil service had intensified. Referring to decisions taken regarding Eastern Mediterranean University, İncirli said the problems stemmed directly from government mistakes.

Accusing the government of prioritising political loyalty over merit, İncirli said corruption was driven by asymmetric political pressure on the bureaucracy, rendering institutions dysfunctional.

“AMNESTIES ARE CUTTING OFF STATE REVENUES”

İncirli also warned that amnesties enacted through decree-laws were undermining payment discipline and causing serious revenue losses. “These amnesties block revenues that should flow into the public treasury, and then the government turns to borrowing,” she said.

Concluding her speech, İncirli reiterated her call for early elections, accusing the government of ignoring public demands. “Unless you announce a date for early elections, the people will take this right by force,” she said.