21 July 2016•Update: 22 July 2016
ANKARA
Turkey's parliament has ratified a motion for a three-month state of emergency by a vote of 346 for, 115 against on Thursday.
The resolution goes into effect as of Thursday and will last three months.
Speaking at the parliament after the vote, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said: “This motion of [the state of emergency] applies to the state itself, not the nation.”
“With this motion, the gangs of FETO terror movement [Fetullah Terrorist Organization] banding together within the state for years, will be wiped out. These forces targeting democracy and the future of the state will be eliminated forever,” he added.
Yildirim also sought to alleviate concerns on the future of the Turkish economy.
“The Turkish economy is open to the world. As of July 15, despite the coup attempt, all economic activities continued uninterrupted as before. We saw some malicious efforts to play with the country’s risk premium. But everyone should know these ratings are of short-sighted. Whatever they do, Turkish nation shows with its capacity Turkish economy will strengthen steadfastly.”
Moody’s Investors Service has placed Turkey’s credit rating on review for downgrade as the rating firm evaluates the effects of the recent coup attempt.
Under Article 120 of the Turkish Constitution, in the event of serious indications of widespread acts of violence aimed at the destruction of the free democratic order, a state of emergency may be declared in one or more regions or throughout the country for a period not exceeding six months.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced late Wednesday a nationwide three-month state of emergency after Friday's failed coup.
Turkey's government has said the attempted coup was organized by followers of U.S.-based cleric Fetullah Gulen, who is accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through infiltrating into Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming a ‘parallel state’.
The deadly coup attempt began late on Friday when rogue elements of the Turkish military tried to overthrow the country's democratically elected government.
At least 246 people, including members of the security forces and civilians, were martyred during the failed putsch and more than 1,530 others were wounded as they protested against it.
