Turkey Analyst, 9 April 2008
NEWS DIGEST, March 31-April 8, 2008
SECTION I: DOMESTIC POLITICS
Summary: The reverberations of the court case to close down the ruling AKP dominated Turkish domestic news. The AKP at first reacted vehemently, only to gradually tone down its rhetoric. Meanwhile, foreign press and politicians’ reactions to the case, overwhelmingly negative in nature, received widespread coverage.
CONSTITUTIONAL COURT ACCEPTED THE CASE TO BAN THE AKP
31 March
The Vice President of the Constitutional Court, Osman Alifeyyaz Paksüt, stated that the case submitted in order to ban the AKP has been accepted by the court. In his statement four hours after the meeting of the court, Mr. Paksüt said, “The case was accepted by unanimity except on the section regarding Abdullah Gül. That section was accepted with the majority of votes, 7 out of 11.” The Vice President stated that they would not take any questions after he had made his speech and added, “I especially request that no questions and comments be made.” (Milliyet)
ÇIÇEK: THERE IS A DEMOCRACY CRISIS IN TURKEY
31 March
Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Çiçek stated that Turkey is currently experiencing a democracy crisis. Mr. Çiçek defended his party and said there were some circles that arbitrarily benefited from the capabilities of the state before the AKP’s term, which were now hiding behind fundamental values, harshly criticizing and pointing their guns towards the AKP. Mr. Çiçek pointed to these circles as being those who are disturbed by the policies pursued by the AKP. Mr. Çiçek said that although Turkey was experiencing a democracy crisis, the crisis could also be regarded as an opposition crisis. He underlined that the AKP continues its activities and services despite the crisis environment. Mr. Çiçek stated that certain circles look forward to and are hoping to benefit from the closure of the AKP. (Radikal)
DTP DOES NOT SUPPOERT THE AKP IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE PROPOSAL
31 March
What will be the stance of the Kurdish rooted DTP (Democratic Society Party) if the AKP goes through with plans to implement a constitutional amendment making it more difficult to ban political parties? Their stance is important since they have 21 seats in the parliament. A number of DTP deputies discussed the party’s position vis-à-vis the proposal. Ahmet Türk, the DTP Group Leader, stated that they wanted the constitution to be entirely revised instead of partially amended, which they believe will not solve any problems. Deputy Selahattin Demirtaş said that the DTP would not back an amendment that would only support the AKP. Another deputy, Hamit Geylani, said that the AKP’s move to rescue itself by changing the law was illegal. (Sabah)
THE AKP IS PREPARING FOR A REFERENDUM IN JUNE
1 April
The AKP is formulating a constitutional amendment to make it more difficult to ban political parties. The AKP attracted criticism for this as it is regarded as an attempt to bypass the safety mechanisms of the constitutional order. The amendment package features an article concerning the removal of the five-year political ban and one that would make a closure case dependent on the approval of the parliament. The package also aims at a redefinition of what being a “focal point of anti-secular activities” amount to and includes an additional condition relating to supporting terror and violence as reasons for the closure of political parties. In addition to this, the current cases are to be closed when the amendment is applied. In accordance with the constitution, a referendum will be called if the amendments are not supported by between 330 and 367 votes. However, the AKP needs the support of at least one other party to avoid a referendum on the amendment package. The AKP is planning to take the package to a referendum in June and is expected to implement the planned amendments to the Constitution by mid-April, reducing the duration of time from decision to referendum from 120 to 45 days. Analysts warn that a referendum would only further heighten tensions and is likely turn the turmoil into a crisis. (Hurriyet)
DTP AND PRIME MINISTER ACCUSE EACH OTHER FOR THE EVENTS DURING NEVRUZ
1 April
The DTP (Democratic Society Party) claims that security officers used force during Nevruz celebrations and distributed police videos to the media. DTP Vice Chairman Emine Ayna stated that there is a growing antagonism against Kurdish citizens and blamed the actions as being racist and fascist. Ms. Emine holds the Prime Minister and the government responsible. Conversely, Mr. Erdoğan criticized the DTP because of the events during Nevruz celebrations. He indirectly accused the DTP of turning the Nevruz celebrations into a place of protest and violence. While expressing his sorrow over the events during Nevruz, Mr. Erdoğan stated that those attempting to create damage out of these events certainly failed and will fail in the future. (Radikal)
CONSTITUTIONAL COURT SENT THE INDICTMENT TO THE AKP
2 April
The constitutional court has sent the indictment to the AKP, which will present its preliminary defense within a month. Chief Prosecutor Abdurrahman Yalçınkaya will then specify his view about the substance of the case. His view will be sent to the AKP, which in turn will indicate its view about the substance. AKP officials and Mr. Yalçinkaya will make verbal statements at a date that will be determined later on. After that, the rapporteur will prepare his report about the substance of the case based on the information and evidence gathered. A decision will be taken after the report has been discussed among the eleven members of the constitutional court. In order to apply the decision to close the AKP, seven out of eleven votes are needed. The constitutional court may then decide on the partial or entire withdrawal of the AKP from the state aid, instead of directly closing the party. (Sabah)
GÜL: THERE IS NO INTENTION TO SEND MORE SOLDIERS
2 April
During the press conference held at Atatürk Airport before President Abdullah Gül left the country to attend the NATO summit in Bucharest, he stated that he has no intention to send combatant forces to Afghanistan. The President underlined that Turkey will maintain its interest in Afghanistan despite that there is nothing in the agenda about sending combatant troops there. He added, “[...] However beyond that, enhancing the relations with Afghanistan in every aspect, improving our capabilities there and helping the Afghan people are in line with the foreign policy of Turkey.” (Hurriyet)
THREE IMPORTANT MESSAGES FROM ERDOĞAN
3 April
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan delivered three important messages during his official visit to Sweden. Mr. Erdoğan, who has harshly criticized the case to close the AKP until yesterday, appeared to have changed his mind and said, “The constitutional court will do its duty and we will focus on our preliminary defense.” Mr. Erdoğan also affirmed that the long debated 301st clause of the Turkish Criminal Law, which states that humiliating Turkishness is a crime, would be amended as soon as possible. His response to the question about the efforts for the new constitution was “We are not working on a new constitution, but on a comprehensive constitutional change.” (Radikal)
ECONOMIST: A “DANGEROUS MISTAKE”
4 April
The Economist described the AKP case as a dangerous mistake and wrote that Turkey was experiencing a court drama. The periodical stated, “In a modern democracy, the idea to ban a party which was reelected just nine months ago for a period of five years is slightly odd. But in Turkey this can happen.” It is said that although the AKPs line is more moderate compared to the Welfare Party, where AKPs roots lie and which was banned in 1997, and although the AKP government has been one of the best performing governments in decades, the party was faced with the wrath of the military and other secular circles. The Economist continued by saying “A reasonable court would drop this case. However, as it can be seen from the decision to prevent Mr. Gül’s presidency, the constitutional court itself is also a part of the strict secular system. In order to get out of this crisis Mr. Erdoğan should realize his plan to amend the constitution in order to make it more difficult to ban political parties. If he can demonstrate that democracy comes first over secularism once and for all, then Turkey can be a modern European country.” (Sabah)
ÜSKÜL: WE DO NOT DEAL WITH THE JUDGE
6 April
Prof. Dr. Zafer Üskül, the Head of the Human Rights Observation Commission in the Turkish Parliament and the AKP Parliamentarian for the province of Mersin, declared that he would defend all the persons, one by one, for whom a ban from the party or politics itself was asked as part of the case for banning the AKP. “We know that in Turkey half of the indictments prepared by the judge remain without any result,” he said. “Our duty is to defend ourselves. We have no deficiency related to our defense”, Mr. Üskül declared. Mr. Üskül stated that the AKP would continue its work toward establishing a democracy of European standards. “In the coming period, we will prepare the ‘democratization packages’, both on the level of the constitutional and normal legislation and we will bring them to the parliament. Parallel to the legislation for economic and social development, we will devise the laws that are needed in the way to democratization. We have formed groups from the parliament and the party leadership. (Radikal)
VURAL ÖGER: A SHAME ON DEMOCRACY, ACCORDING TO THE EU
6 April
The member of the socialist group in the European Parliament Vural Öger, criticized the case opened for the dissolution of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) saying, “The ban of a party that has acquired 47 percent of peoples vote is unacceptable in all parts of the world”. Mr. Öger stated, “This is considered as a democratic disgrace in Europe. It is said that the judiciary has taken the role of the opposition. Those who do not like the AKP should know that the only way passes through the ballot box”. Mr. Öger stated that if the AKP government continues with the reforms, amends the 301 Article and fulfills the Copenhagen Criteria, Turkey would join the first world league with the EU. On the subject of secularism, Mr. Öger underlined the importance of taking into account the fears of the portion of society that defends secularism. He repeated that the European Christian Democrats did not have warm feelings about the eastward enlargement of Europe, and pointed out that the Europe of the 21st century could not be built with such outdated thoughts. He noted that the opposition of Mr. Sarkozy and Ms. Merkel is taken as proof in Turkey that the EU is against Turkish membership, but reminded that the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, the Scandinavian countries, the new EU members, the vast majority of the European Parliament and the 2/3 majority of the European Commission support Turkey in its aspirations to join the EU. While stating that Turkey will become an EU member after finishing all its ‘homework’, Mr. Öger also emphasized the fact that Turkey attracts considerable foreign investment and capital because of its anchor to the EU. (Sabah)
THE SUPREME COURT WILL DISCUSS THE CIVIL CONSTITUTION
6 April
The constitutional court, which is preparing to discuss cases such as the regulation of the Islamic headscarf and the ban of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), is preparing to hold an extraordinary meeting. Celebrating the 46th year of its foundation, the Supreme Court will organize a symposium titled “The new search for the constitution and the position of the judiciary” to be held on April 25. In the meeting where issues such as a civilian constitution, the independence of the judiciary and the structure of the constitutional court will be discussed, the representatives from the AKP, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the National Movement Party (MHP) are invited to make speeches. (Zaman)
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The Turkey Analyst
The Turkey Analyst is a publication of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Joint Center, designed to bring authoritative analysis and news on the rapidly developing domestic and foreign policy issues in Turkey. It is published weekly, and includes a topical analysis, as well as translations and summaries of selected Turkish news reports. It is edited and compiled under the supervision of Svante E. Cornell, Halil M. Karaveli, and M. K. Kaya.
The analyses appearing in the Turkey Analyst are unsigned, being the consensus view of the three Editors. The Turkey Analyst occasionally publishes signed guest analyses, which are normally solicited.
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The Joint Center was created in 2005 through the merger of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, and the Silk Road Studies Program, at the Stockholm-based Institute for Security and Development Policy.
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The Joint Center launched a Turkey Initiative in 2006 in order to improve understand of Turkish domestic and foreign affairs in Europe and the United States.
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