Erdogan congratulates parliament speaker on reelection

ANKARA

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated Mustafa Sentop in a phone call for his reelection as speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, the Communications Directorate said Wednesday.

Sentop, a ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party lawmaker hailing from northwestern Tekirdag province, received 328 votes Tuesday in the third round of voting in the 600-seat Grand National Assembly.

A total of 557 lawmakers cast ballots, while seven votes were declared invalid.

Speaking to lawmakers following the election, Sentop thanked them for participating in the process.

"The election is completed. There is no doubt that I will try to serve the grand parliament under the Constitution, bylaws and other rules of law and parliamentary tendencies with justice and impartiality," he said.

The ruling AK Party holds 291 seats in parliament, while the Republican People’s Party (CHP) has 138 seats, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) 58, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) 49, the Good Party (IYI) 37, the Turkish Workers’ Party two and independents six.

The Democracy and Progress (Remedy) Party, Democrat Party (DP), Grand Unity Party (BBP), Saadet (Felicity) Party and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) hold one each.

Sentop, 51, earned a bachelor’s degree in law at Istanbul University and a master’s degree and PhD at Istanbul's Marmara University.