Cablegate: Turkey: Timeline to Establish Next Government

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS ANKARA 007924

SIPDIS

CENTCOM AND EUCOM: PLEASE PASS TO POLADS AND J-5

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: TIMELINE TO ESTABLISH NEXT GOVERNMENT

1. Timeline in para 2 lists the sequence of steps to be
followed as the Justice and Development (AK) Party prepares
to establish a government in the wake of its Nov. 3 landslide
election victory. According to AK officials, assuming that
President Sezer observes Turkish law and tradition (i.e.,
gives the mandate to form a government to a prime-ministerial
candidate from the largest party in Parliament, in this case
AK), the next government can be up and running by early
December.

2. Timeline:

-- Nov. 3 election results and distribution of seats
certified by Supreme Election Board (YSK) by Nov. 17-18.

-- Within five days (approx. Nov. 22) after YSK announces the
results, new Parliament convenes, M.P.s take oath.

-- As soon as new Parliament is seated, the Turkish President
is free to bestow the mandate to form the next government.
By tradition, the mandate goes to the leader of the largest
party in Parliament. In AK's case party leader Erdogan was
ruled ineligible to run for parliament and thus cannot be
Prime Minister during the just-elected Parliament. AK will
thus choose a P.M. candidate from among its newly-elected
majority once Erdogan has had an initial meeting with
President Sezer Nov. 7.

-- P.M.-designate has 45 days to form a government, during
which time he submits a proposed cabinet list to the
President.

-- Once the President approves the proposed cabinet list, the
new government is constituted (i.e., the 58th government will
be announced in this case) but does not yet assume powers.

-- P.M. submits cabinet list and, usually at the same time,
government's draft program to Parliament.

-- Within seven days of submission of cabinet list, the P.M.
or his designated minister reads the draft program.

-- After allowing two days for parliamentary review of the
program, Parliament begins debate on vote of confidence
(technically, a vote of confidence on the government's draft
program).

-- Vote takes place one full day after end of debate; debate
is of undetermined length; expected to be shorter in the
current situation, given AK's ability to form a one-party
government with only one party in opposition.

-- Upon winning the vote of confidence, the government
assumes its functions.
PEARSON

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