ISTANBUL
Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Friday harshly criticized the "language" the Turkish lawmakers used while addressing each other during the debates at the Turkish parliament. The debate was over a bill amending the law regulating the HSYK - the country's top body that governs judicial affairs of the country.
Harsh remarks between the lawmakers of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party and main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) resulted with fist-fights at Thursday's talks at the general assembly. Gul prompted by the tense atmosphere said that "We have to first reform the language we use. I hope it (the fight of words and fists) will be the last, and such incidents will not happen again."
The Turkish president said that "words have power" and warned that all have to deliver their language more constructively "if we want to see less of such tensions."
The proposed bill to restructure the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) was approved by a parliamentary commission on January 16. If passed by the parliament the bill will transfer some of the powers of the HSYK to its chair - Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag. Then it will be submitted to President Gul for ratification.
AK Party had earlier sought a partnership with the opposition parties for a constitutional amendment to change the HSYK. The plan fell by the wayside after the two largest opposition parties - CHP and MHP - rejected AK Party's offer.
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