Ruling Party's Meeting Not Legal, Says Turkey's Opposition

Turkey's main opposition party claimed that the extraordinary congress held Wednesday by the ruling Justice and Development Party, chaired by President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is not legal.



The Republican People's Party, known as CHP, filed an individual appeal to the Constitutional Court on Monday, claiming Erdogan's continuance of his role as prime minister is unconstitutional.



Previously, the CHP argued that Erdogan's relations with his party and the parliament ended after the announcement of the official election results on August 15 as under Turkish law, the president cannot be connected to a political party.



CHP's spokesman, Haluk Koc, speaking at a press conference Wednesday, claimed the congress lacks any legal basis. "It is unlawful for a president to attend and speak at a political party meeting like a party head."



Erdogan will swear his oath of office at the Turkish Grand National Assembly at 2 p.m. local time (12.00 GMT) during an extraordinary session convened by Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek.



Referring to Erdogan, Koc said, "A person, who violates the constitution, will swear to abide by the constitution. As a party, we are against the abuse of state of law."



Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is expected to be confirmed as the chairman by delegates of the ruling party Wednesday, and his predecessor, Erdogan, will appoint Davutoglu as prime minister to form Turkey's 62nd Cabinet. 



Erdogan said earlier Wednesday that the new government will be in place on Friday. 



www.aa.com.tr/en - Ankara