Gov't determined to take unified stance with opposition, says PM Yıldırım
Speaking to CNN Türk in a live televised interview Tuesday, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said that as the government, they are determined to take a unified stance with the opposition, while expressing his faith in political dialogue to overcome any obstacles regarding the measures to be taken following the failed coup attempt.
Answering questions on whether all four parties in the parliament could act together in a unified manner, Yıldırım said that it was possible 'if the HDP made a decision regarding its relations with the PKK terrorist organization.'
So far opposition parties the Republican People's Party (CHP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) have openly expressed that they are on the side of the government in the post-coup process but the PKK-linked People's Democratic Party (HDP) has remained silent, Daily Sabah reported.
Yıldırım also commented on CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's decision to not to join the "Democracy and Martyrs Rally" to be held in the Yenikapı neighborhood of Istanbul on August 7. He said that if the party leaders themselves would have come to the rally in person, it would have created a stronger atmosphere of unity, but he said that he was glad that Kılıçdaroğlu was sending a committee to represent the party and show his support. MHP leader Bahçeli has yet to respond to the invitation.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had made the call on Aug. 1, asking CHP and MHP party leaders to attend the rally and asked them to deliver individual speeches.
In the interview Yıldırım also said that has withdrawn lawsuits against opposition politicians, journalists and writers, for insulting him or his office.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had also said that he will drop insult lawsuits against him, as a one-off gesture for unity in the wake of a failed July 15 coup.
Yıldırım also touched upon the upcoming Victory Day celebrations which possibly could be partly canceled due to the post-coup state of emergency. He said: "We can't disregard the Aug 30. Victory Day, there has not been any official decision saying that ceremonies will be canceled."
On the subject of the ongoing investigations about the failed coup attempt, the PM stated that 58,611 people had been laid off while 3, 499 had been discharged from their posts for having alleged links to the Gülenist Terror Organization (FETÖ).
As the government continues its crackdown on FETÖ and affiliated people in the judiciary, military, police, education and other institutions, more journalists are expected to be detained as part of the wide-raging anti-FETÖ investigation.
Turkey's government has repeatedly said the deadly coup attempt, which killed at least 238 people and injured nearly 2,200 others, was organized by the followers of U.S.-based preacher, Fetullah Gülen.
Gülen is also accused of implementing a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the parallel state.
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