Turkish Parliament names Numan Kurtulmus as speaker

Türkiye's Parliament, formally known as the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), has elected Numan Kurtulmus, deputy chairperson of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), as its 30th speaker, Report informs, citing Daily Sabah.

All members of Parliament cast their secret votes in three sessions on Wednesday and Kurtulmus received 317 votes in the first round, short of the majority required for an outright win, leading to a second round. He received 321 votes in the third round of voting.

Lawmakers voted again in the second round seeking two-thirds of the parliamentary seats.

As the joint candidate of the AK Party and its ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Kurtulmus beat six other candidates to the top.