Turkey may debate extension of emergency state

By Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA

The Parliament may discuss the extension of the ongoing state of emergency next week, ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's deputy group chairman said Friday.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Mustafa Elitas said: "There is a possibility that the motion on extension of state of emergency could be debated [next] Tuesday or Wednesday."

Elitas said that they were first waiting for a suggestion from the National Security Council regarding an extension.

Recalling that the ongoing state of emergency would end on Oct. 19, the group chairman said that a discussion on extension should take place within the next week pending such a suggestion from the Council, and a subsequent motion from the government.

The Council and the Cabinet will meet on Monday, he said.

Turkey declared a state of emergency on July 20, 2016, five days after the defeated coup attempted by Fetullah Terrorist Organization. It has been extended three times since then.

According to the Turkish Constitution, a state of emergency can be declared for a maximum period of six months.

During the state of emergency, the Cabinet has the right to issue statutory decrees under the president of the Republic without regard to routine procedures and restrictions in Article 91 of the country’s Constitution.

These decrees are first published in the Official Gazette and then submitted to Parliament for ratification.