09.04.2026 16:30
The Grand National Assembly of Turkey was closed due to insufficient majority in the roll call. The CHP and the AK Party blamed each other. The proposal to extend maternity leave to 24 weeks could not be discussed. New mothers reacted to the events.
The Grand National Assembly of Turkey General Assembly was closed today due to the lack of necessary majority in the roll call. The required 200 deputies for the General Assembly to convene could not be reached. Therefore, the discussions on the bill that includes extending maternity leave to 24 weeks could not be held.
AK PARTY AND CHP BLAMED EACH OTHER
After the session could not be held, the AK Party and CHP blamed each other for the closure of the assembly.
LEYLA ŞAHİN USTA: OPPOSITION PARTIES BLOCKED
AK Party Group Deputy Chair and Ankara Deputy Leyla Şahin Usta stated, "Unfortunately, the Opposition Parties have blocked the hopes of tens of thousands of our families waiting for maternity leave.
They requested a roll call so that the Assembly would not work and laws would not pass. However, when it came to the roll call; all 138 CHP deputies, all 30 deputies of the İYİ Party, and all 56 deputies of the DEM Party caused the Assembly to close by 'not participating in the roll call.'
While the issue at hand is the right of the nation, the expectations of mothers, and the hopes of families; they sacrificed this process, which cannot afford to lose even a single day, to political calculations," she expressed.
CEMAL ENGİNYURT: WE ARE IN THE GRAND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AS CHP
CHP Istanbul Deputy Cemal Enginyurt stated, "We are in the Grand National Assembly as CHP. The AKP is again absent. The Assembly closed because the majority could not be achieved in the roll call. Where are these AKP deputies? Let those who see write." he said.
MOTHERS ARE IN REBELLION
Mothers waiting for the maternity leave regulation to be passed reacted strongly to the developments. In comments shared on social media, mothers expressed that political debates have created victimization.
- Instead of closing immediately, you should make a call. They say there is not enough participation from your party. You cannot ignore us. You are all guilty.
- As every passing day is so important for the mother and baby, the public will not forget those who adopt this attitude. However, at least the date when the discussions began should be taken as the effective date, and those who do not complete their 24 weeks from that date should benefit.
- Recall them. We, as 2-month-old mothers, cannot go to work. We cannot say we will not work today; we are shown the door. Is it that hard to raise a finger?
- Every day that maternity leave is not granted, dozens of mothers are victimized.
- The AK Party is blaming you too. Which one should we believe? It is us mothers and our babies who are suffering because of you. We cannot benefit from our rights.
- My maternity leave was on the edge. I do not forgive my rights.
- Who should we believe? We are really surprised.