Turkish government and judiciary in a bid to soothe high tension
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Turkey's Justice Minister welcomed Saturday a top judge's pledge to sit at the table with the AKP government to discuss issues regarding the judicial system if an invitation comes from the president. These words came two days after Supreme Court made a harsh statement to criticize the government, whose response sparked a new conflict between the executive and judicial bodies. (UPDATED)
The chairman of Turkey's Supreme Court said they would sit at the table with the AKP government to discuss the draft judiciary reform and other issues regarding the justice system, Hurriyet daily reported Saturday.
"It would be beneficial if the President (Abdullah Gul) brings the Justice Minister, other government officials and top judges together to discuss the new judicial reform draft and other issues concerning the justice system. However nobody had called me on that," Hasan Gerceker told Hurriyet. He added their aim was not sparking a crisis by issuing the statement.
The Supreme Court accused the government last week of creating a "judiciary controlled by an executive body." AKP slammed the statement saying the high courts lost their neutrality and independence by making political statements.
Nationalist MHP's leader Devlet Bahceli has called the President Gul to step in to reduce the tension. Gul said he is considering the call.
On Saturday Gerceker said they are not in favor of a "conflict or polarization between the state organs," adding solutions should be find with holding discussion as needed by democracy and in line with the principles of democracy, secularism and rule of law.
The exchange of harsh statements signaled a new phase in the conflict between the AKP government, who is under pressure of closure case, and the judiciary. Analysts have warned the conflict could turn into a wider political crisis.
Turkey's Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin welcomed Saturday Gerceker's latest remarks, which he interpreted as "Let's not prolong discussions on the issue."
"I said two days ago 'I wish they did not make that statement and we did not give such response.' I want to remind you that," Sahin told reporters in southern province of Antalya when asked about Gerceker's remarks.