The swearing-in ceremony for Turkish MPs has been delayed, according to the main opposition party, due to the refusal of HÜDA-PAR, the ruling AKP's radical Islamist ally.

 

Despite the elections taking place two weeks ago, the ceremony has not yet taken place as HÜDA-PAR objects to the oath of office taken by Turkish parliamentarians. Veli Ağbaba, Deputy Chair of the Republican People's Party (CHP), accused the Supreme Election Council (YSK) of deliberately withholding the final results of the parliamentary elections in response to HÜDA-PAR's objections.

Ağbaba highlighted that HÜDA-PAR, which secured four MPs through the AKP's list, refuses to accept the oath of office due to clauses in their party program that are against the parliamentary oath, the Turkish flag, and the unitary structure. He questioned which sentences in the oath text are causing them discomfort, whether it's Atatürk's principles, the rule of law, secularism, the republic, or democracy.

On May 24, HÜDA-PAR Deputy Chairman and Batman MP Serkan Ramanlı expressed their view that the text of the oath in parliament is not suitable and should be changed.

Ağbaba also raised allegations that HÜDA-PAR MPs oppose the presence of women employees in parliament, stating that they prefer to work in areas where there are no female employees. He criticized the AKP for bringing such deputies to Parliament.

In the early 2000s, the radical Islamist terrorist organization Hizbullah quietly reorganized itself under various foundations, associations, and entities. With the support of the current government, HÜDA-PAR was established as a political party in December 2012, allowing its entry into politics.

This radical Islamist party is particularly active in Kurdish provinces in eastern Turkey. Kurdish politicians and activists have criticized the AKP's efforts to strengthen HÜDA-PAR to control Kurdish constituencies and create a more conservative atmosphere, thereby diminishing the influence of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) in the region.

According to the constitution, every MP must recite the following text to assume office: "I solemnly swear before the honorable Turkish nation to protect the existence and independence of the state, the indivisible integrity of the homeland and the nation, the unconditional sovereignty of the nation; to uphold the rule of law, the democratic and secular Republic, and the principles and reforms of Atatürk; to promote peace and prosperity in society, national solidarity, and the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all within a fair and just framework; and to remain loyal to the constitution."