Erhürman signs political parties law amendment but criticises its intra-party impact

President Tufan Erhürman announced that he had signed the Political Parties (Amendment) Law passed by parliament. He said he signed it so that parties' preparations would not be adversely affected, as election bans had taken effect and only a short time remained before the vote.

The amendment removed the rule that candidates be chosen through primary elections, as well as a provision allowing Party Assemblies to determine candidates in exceptional cases. Erhürman said he did not find it right, from the standpoint of democracy and especially intra-party democracy, to make such a change so close to an election or to introduce such clear uncertainty.

He said he did not use his authority to return the law to parliament. Noting that many parties could be affected by the time needed, he expressed hope that parties not choosing primaries would at least hold votes in their Party Assemblies. He wished that no similar changes to election laws be made right before future elections.