Turkey's Parliament to Debate 'Framework Law' Amidst Party Divisions

Ankara, Turkey – Turkey's Grand National Assembly is poised to convene on October 1, 2025, to debate a significant "framework law" aimed at bolstering national solidarity and social cohesion. This legislative push comes as parliament concludes its extended session, which began on October 1, 2025, and was prolonged until July 1.

The "Milli Dayanışma ve Toplumsal Bütünleşmenin Güçlendirilmesine Dair Kanun," or the Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Cohesion, has already passed through the Justice Commission with support from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party). Other parties, including the New Path Party (Yeni Yol Partisi), the Free Cause Party (HÜDA PAR), and the Republican People's Party (CHP), also lent their signatures to the proposal.

However, the bill faces opposition from the Nationalist Movement Party (İYİ Parti) and the New Welfare Party (Yeniden Refah Partisi), while the Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP) and the Labourers' Movement Party (EMEP) have remained silent. The upcoming General Assembly session is expected to be closely watched as parties solidify their stances. The EMEP has voiced criticism, with Istanbul Deputy İskender Bayhan stating the law "produces a hostage policy" that hands control to the presidency and legitimizes the non-implementation of European Court of Human Rights decisions.

Following the framework law's passage, the Turkish parliament is scheduled to enter recess until October 1, as per its internal regulations. The distribution of seats in the 592-member parliament shows the AKP with 277 seats, followed by the New Path Party with 91, and the DEM Party with 56. The outcome of the vote remains uncertain, particularly concerning the positions of the New Path Party and the CHP, where internal divisions are reportedly present.

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The law produces a hostage policy that hands control to the presidency and legitimizes the non-implementation of European Court of Human Rights decisions. There is a will that conditions and postpones politics, rather than opening the way for it. The only positive aspect is the releases and the return home. We would certainly not say 'No' to thousands of our citizens leaving prison and returning from exile. However, we will continue our struggle against the law turning into a hostage policy.