BY DERYA SAZAK
MILLIYET- When the Constitutional Court annulled the first round of the presidential election in Parliament for lacking a quorum, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) again brought up the idea of a popular vote. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan argues that if necessary, a referendum can be held in order to hold simultaneous presidential and general elections. Erdogan harshly criticized the Constitutional Court's decision, calling it a bullet aimed at democracy. However, the sovereignty of the nation in the Turkish Republic guaranteed under the Constitution requires that this right be used in accordance with principles set by the Constitution and at the hands of authorized bodies. This authority was shared between the judicial, legislative and executive branches. Parliament, the president, Cabinet and independent courts exercise the national sovereignty in accordance with the principles set by the Constitution.
As a reporter who covered Parliament in 1980 when it couldn't elect a president for six months, one of the factors behind the coup that Sept. 12, I also believe the 1982 Constitution aims to facilitate elections through four rounds. But the objections which followed the court's decision this week won't help overcome our crisis. Even if the AKP leader didn't like the 9-2 decision, branding it a 'bullet aimed at democracy' only raises tensions. Similarly, before the court ruling, the General Staff issued a statement as well. The way to remove this cloud hanging over democracy is to hold general elections. The government should avoid political maneuvers which would require a Constitutional amendment and 120-day referendum calendar and bring the crisis to September. The new Parliament can elect the president, because none of the deputies would dare obstruct a Parliament just elected. The way to elect a president with 276 votes in the third round is open. I hope the AKP can find a way to hold the election as quickly as possible."