ANKARA - Justice & Development Party's Manisa MP Mr. Bülent Arýnç (the actual speaker) and Izmir MP Ms. Serpil Yildýz declared that they are candidates for the election of TBMM (Turkish Parliament) speaker.
The deadline to become a candidate ended at 00:01 hours today.
"There has not been a female candidate for the speakership of the Turkish Grand National Assembly in Turkey's history. I want to prove the courage and will of Turkish women," said Ms. Serpil Yildýz. She also stated that her candidacy is not an opposition within the party. "The Prime Minister always gives support to women's involvement in politics," added Yýldýz.
The main opposition party in the parliament, the Republican People's Party (CHP), has refused to come up with a candidate. "We know that the election shall be won by a member of the AK Party as this party hold the majority in the Assembly," commented one CHP source.
Since the CHP does not have a candidate, the CHP MPs will submit empty ballots.
The first two rounds of the election will be held today (Wednesday). A candidate must obtain at least two-thirds of the votes (367 in total) in order to be elected speaker. In the third round, the candidate getting the absolute majority will win the election. If any of the candidates cannot receive the absolute majority in the third round, then a fourth round will take place. Only the two top candidates can run in this round and the one getting most of the votes will be declared speaker of the National Assembly.
The term in office of the new speaker will be three years.
(ULG) 06.10.2004