Month-long deadlock: No candidate secures absolute majority in Court of Cassation presidential elections

Court of Cassation members failed to elect a new president in the 23rd round of the elections that started on March 25 since none of the candidates including the last president could secure an absolute majority in any of the rounds. On the other hand, Council of State members re-elected the current president Zeki Yiğit for four more years to lead the country's highest administrative court.

Wednesday April 24 2024 11:45 am

Duvar English

In the 23rd round of the presidential elections held on April 24 due to the expiry of the four-year tenure of the President of the Court of Cassation Mehmet Akarca, no candidate was able to obtain the absolute majority.

Although the members of the country’s highest court of appeals went to the polls on March 25 to elect a new president of the court who will serve for four years, no candidate won the absolute majority for a month.

In order to be elected, a candidate must receive at least 175 votes, which is the absolute majority of the 348 members of the Court of Cassation.

In the 23rd round of voting, last president Akarca received 90 votes, Ömer Kerkez, President of the 3rd Civil Chamber, received 107 votes and Muhsin Şentürk, President of the 3rd Criminal Chamber, received 124 votes.

While the participation number in the election was recorded as 329, eight votes were counted as invalid.

On April 25, the elections will continue between Kerkez and Şentürk.

Who supports whom?

This collage shows Akarca (L), Kerkez (C), and Şentürk (R)

According to information obtained by Deutsche Welle Turkish from the Court of Cassation, there have been negative reactions among the members to current president Akarca's "management approach.”

Also while the conservative faction of the high court criticized Akarca for fulfilling the wishes of social democrat members and those close to the nationalist opposition Good (İYİ) Party, the government front has been hesitant, thinking he might “act as he wishes” as he will retire in four years.

On the other hand, some members reacted against Akarca due to the Court of Cassation’s rejection of implementing the Constitutional Court's (AYM) ruling on the release of imprisoned (former) lawmaker Can Atalay.

Şentürk, the head of the 3rd Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation that did not recognize the AYM’s decision on Atalay, has been supported by some members close to the government and far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

Kerkez, on the other hand, has been seen as "a popular name" among different groups in the Court of Cassation in terms of his human relations.

DW stated that Kerkez has a wide circle of contacts due to his past in the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) and the Justice Ministry.

Some social democrats, nationalists, and those who are resentful towards the Justice Ministry have supported Kerkez. Reportedly, some members close to the Islamic Menzil cult also voted in favor of Kerkez.

Ömer Topaç, who was elected as a member of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK) from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) quota, also reportedly supported Kerkez.

On March 21, Constitutional Court members (AYM) elected Kadir Özkaya as the new president.

On April 24, Council of State members re-elected the current president Zeki Yiğit for four more years to lead the country's highest administrative court.