Baykal criticizes Gul's luncheon with top state officials

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday criticized President Abdullah Gul's luncheon with top state officials, which Gul has pledged to make a regular event. "The heads of judicial bodies meeting with the government violates the division of powers and judicial independence," Baykal told his party's Central Executive Committee (MYK). "Judicial bodies should keep their distance from the government." Baykal also said Gul's initiative was without precedent.