President Erdoğan Opens New Legislative Year of the Turkish Parliament

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in Ankara on Oct. 1, 2026, marking the opening of the 28th Parliament’s fifth legislative year by celebrating the legislature’s historical role during the War of Independence and the July 15 coup attempt. It was reported that the session drew distinct political reactions, with Yeni Parti lawmakers walking out during the speech while other factions split on attending related events.

Yeni Parti Lawmakers Walk Out as Parliament Opens Its New Legislative Year

It was reported that Yeni Parti leader Özgür Özel and his party’s group in parliament boycotted the opening address, walking out of the General Council chamber as President Erdoğan took the podium. Özel told reporters outside the chamber that his party refused to listen to a president he accused of targeting political rivals, intervening in municipal administration, and failing to address economic grievances. It was noted that despite the initial boycott of the speech, Özel later decided that party members would attend the subsequent General Council special session without standing up when the president entered, though they skipped the evening’s traditional reception.

The opening session also highlighted divisions within other opposition ranks. It was reported that Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu attended both the special session and the evening acceptance reception hosted by parliament. Meanwhile, the Workers’ Party of Turkey (TİP) boycotted the entire opening events, with TİP leader Erkan Baş stating that his party gathered outside the Constitutional Court instead of participating in parliament, according to BBC.

President Erdoğan Recalls Historical Significance of the Gazi Assembly

In his address to the General Assembly, President Erdoğan emphasized the unique status of the Turkish legislature, stating that it is the only parliament in the world honored twice with the title of veteran, or gazi. He recalled that the assembly successfully directed the War of Independence against occupying forces while enemy artillery could be heard just 80 kilometers away.

The president quoted Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's 1921 opening speech from the second legislative year to emphasize the nation's historical resilience against existential threats. Erdoğan added that the legislature faced another severe test on the night of July 15, when lawmakers defended the national will beneath bombing runs alongside citizens resisting the coup attempt in the streets.

Intense Legislative Agenda Awaits Parliament in the Coming Months

Beyond the opening ceremonies, BBC reported that the new legislative term brings a heavy workload for parliamentary committees and the General Council. Lawmakers are slated to address pending proposals alongside new legislative packages, beginning with a bill concerning the Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay) that redefines its duties during wars, disasters, and humanitarian crises.

The agenda also includes the upcoming 13th Judicial Package prepared by the AKP, which is expected to target family law, identity verification requirements on social media, and revisions to the enforcement and conditional release systems following recent Constitutional Court rulings on alimony.

Erdogan Notes High Workload as Assembly Opens Fifth Year

Erdoğan noted that the Grand National Assembly of Turkey operates as one of the busiest parliaments globally in terms of its working tempo. The opening ceremony formally launched the assembly’s fifth legislative year under the 28th legislative term, following the conclusion of the previous working period that ran from Oct. 1, 2025, to Aug. 10, 2026.