Turkish Parliament Swears In 600 Lawmakers

Weeks after the parliamentary elections concluded, the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) witnessed the swearing-in of 600 lawmakers on Friday.

Devlet Bahçeli, the 75-year-old leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), presided over the ceremony as the interim Parliament speaker due to being the oldest lawmaker.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) emerged as the frontrunner in the elections, securing 268 seats in Parliament.

This victory marks the party's third decade in power, maintaining its dominant position in Turkish politics.

Alongside the AK Party, its coalition partners in the People's Alliance, the MHP, secured 50 seats, while the New Welfare Party (YRP) obtained five seats, resulting in a combined majority of 323 seats out of the total 600 in Parliament.

On the opposition front, the Republican People's Party (CHP) and its coalition partner, the Good Party (IP), garnered 169 deputies, contributing to a total of 212 seats in Parliament.

This alliance, known as the Nation's Alliance, represents the main opposition bloc.

Furthermore, several smaller parties within the CHP-led six-party opposition coalition managed to secure representation in Parliament by contesting the elections under the CHP lists.

Notably, the Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA) won 15 seats, the Future Party (GP) and Felicity Party (SP) secured 10 seats each, and the Democrat Party obtained three seats.

Additionally, 38 deputies elected from the CHP will return to their respective parties after the opening of Parliament, resulting in a decrease in the number of CHP lawmakers from 169 to 129.

The diverse backgrounds of the newly elected lawmakers encompass various professions, including lawyers, engineers, physicians, sociologists, pilots, teachers, farmers, dentists, journalists, pharmacists, archaeologists, artists, and nurses.