‘Prime Minister on the phone’ joke irks commission

ISTANBUL

Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Deputy Sırrı Sürreyya Önder. AA photo

A joke “call from the prime minister” made by Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Deputy Sırrı Sürreyya Önder on the commission of the new Constitution committee has surprised members of the board, irking the Justice and Development Party (AKP) member of the commission, who Önder poked fun at.

As tensions in Turkey’s political scene rise due to the ongoing peace process, Önder, who was one of the deputies who visited the jailed leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), marked a commission meeting by faking a phone call with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan today.

“Yes, Prime Minister...,” Önder, who was the chair of the commission, said as he answered his phone during the meeting.

The Prime Minister’s name was recorded on the phone screen and Önder showed it to AKP Ankara Deputy Ahmet İyimaya.

“Mister Prime Minister, Ahmet İyimaya does make us work so much,” Önder said and left the room.

The members were curious about the content of the phone call but Önder later explained the joke.