The smoke lifts
For a short while, the sun-loungers lay unencumbered by bodies burning in the 46C heat. But the holiday resorts will be filling up again as people return to the seaside after breaking their holidays to vote in the Turkish elections.
In the cities, the colourful election bunting has already come down. In Ankara, they're sweeping up after the AKP's ecstatic street celebrations, following a victory that surprised even the ruling party's most loyal supporters.
It is almost unheard of for a party of government that has been in power for five years to actually increase its share of the vote. Yet Justice and Development (AK, that is), which claims to be a moderate conservative party with Islamic roots, rather than a religious party, put on about 13%.
Fewer MPs
It could be such a simple story. But it's not. The party has increased its authority, but reduced its power in parliament. A stunning victory then, that leaves it with fewer seats.
They have a huge moral mandate. This is not a hollow victory. Not a pyrrhic victory. But if the earth moved for them, there was no landslide as a result. As Napoleon or Stalin might have said: "How many legions does a moral mandate have?" This odd twist comes about because Turkish electoral law keeps out of parliament any party that does not get at least 10% of the national vote. Last time round, that meant there were just two parties in the parliament. Now there are four main groups and that means fewer MPs for the ruling party.
For those who like their politics free of turmoil and conflict, this is probably a good thing. The cause of the election was parliament's failure to agree a candidate for president. The government needed a two-thirds majority to force through its preferred candidate, whose wife wears a headscarf and so outrages the army and the secularists. It still lacks that majority. Although the prime minister made it clear more than a week ago that he would look for a compromise candidate, had his moral mandate have come with an absolute majority there would have been inevitable calls from within the party to force a showdown with the army. Who would win that contest? Who knows?
Ataturk's heirs
I always think the day after elections is like the day after a battle. The smoke drifts away, the forces are in new positions. But there is no time to relax. The new deployment raises new questions that weren't clear before. There are fresh dilemmas and questions raised for the tacticians and strategists from both winning and losing sides. Here are some of the key questions:
- • Is the new parliament a recipe for a new agonised debate about identity? The two new forces are the Nationalist Action party, which some say is quasi-fascist, and the Kurdish independents (standing as an independent is a way round the 10% rule). It's obviously an explosive mix. Although the Kurds won't try to insist on taking the oath in their own language there will be other perhaps unforeseen opportunities for wrangles inside Parliament. More importantly, there is bound to be a big new debate about the place of "mountain Turks" (as Kurds are sometimes referred to) in the Turkish state.
- • What alliances will form in the new parliament? Could Justice and Development do a deal with either the Kurds or the Nationalists? If they found a common presidential candidate with the Kurds, that could really have the top brass polishing their tanks. A more likely, and more powerful, deal with the nationalists would be controversial and further undermine the official opposition.
- • What happens to the heirs of Ataturk? This is a fifth crushing defeat for the Republican People's party, the CHP. Their over-the-top warnings that Turkey was about to turn into Iran, made their message look ridiculous even to many of those who are very, very worried that the government will turn the clock back and threaten their Western lifestyle. Their reliance on their buddies in the army made them look the old-fashioned ones, a relic from the 1930s, and forced some liberals into voting for the government. They have few ideas or platforms other than "stop the other lot". Without detracting from the winners' victory, they gained votes from the lack of a credible, modern alternative. As I wrote yesterday, there is a gap in the political market. It could be filled by a new party or a revolt within the CHP. But I can't see any "Young Turks" in sight. If they don't reform themselves, the AKP will reach across into the centre ground, and as long as the economy stays strong, become the natural party of government.
And then the two big ones...
- • Mildly Islamic or wildly Islamist? Will the ruling party continue to prove, as it has to many Western observers, that it is a moderate party, its success based on economics, rather than religion, with few ambitions to destroy a secular state? Of course, much depends what you mean by "secular". I'm sure it is amazing to many Muslims in Britain that a woman can't go to university in a mainly Muslim country like Turkey if she wears a headscarf. In Britain such a rule would be regarded as the state intruding into the very heart of religious freedom and civil liberty. Of course Britain is not a secular state, with the head of state the head of the official religion, but few would argue that it is not a modern liberal democracy. In Turkey will there be an increase of headscarf wearing? And will the government encourage new dress codes, different laws on public morality or drinking alcohol? So far, I can see very few signs of fundamentalism in Turkey, but it is not impossible some could use Justice and Development in the way Militant tried to use Labour. Most important of all, do the secularists begin to relax or will they feel increasingly beleaguered, aliens in their own country?
- • Will it continue to be true that any elected party in Turkey is permanently over the barrel of the army's guns? It was the army's "military memorandum" that began this crisis and one newspaper here says the election is a "Civilian memorandum" in reply. Today the army website has only bland notices about construction tenders and conscription dates. Like a strict father, who has shouted "I will not tolerate such behaviour in my house young man!!!" Now the head of the family sits in the living room studiously ignoring the partying upstairs, hoping they will quieten down. He'd love to take the strap from the wall, like in the old days, but hesitates confronting a group of burly teenagers, knowing any confrontation would not be pretty.
What will they do if the next choice of president is not to their liking? Or when there is another, almost inevitable clash over some other secular/religious issue? Some think the army is still vital, as a lid stopping an overwhelmingly Islamic country adopting overwhelmingly Islamic values. Equally, it could be seen as the lid of a pressure cooker, unnaturally raising temperatures, and encouraging the whole thing to blow. Whether a force for good or ill, the army is perhaps the biggest block to Turkey's EU ambitions: Turkey may be secular, but it is not fully democratic while the army has such a role, and no EU country would think of letting Turkey into the club. How the army reacts in the next year will be vital to Turkey's future.
I’m Mark Mardell, the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's North America editor. These are my reflections on American politics, some thoughts on being a Brit living in the USA, and who knows what else? My 
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AKP have been in power for five years and the agenda they have been pursuing hasnt had the slightest touch of trying to establish an islamic agenda, on the contrary. I believe we will see Turkey reform even more in the comming years, and hopefully, Turkey will start to recognize the Kurdish and Armenian minorities more and remove Article 301 from the constitution.
This victory only proves that Turkey should go shoulder by shoulder with the EU in establishing peace and prosperity in the Middle east and the rest of the world.
The the main question is if Erdogan will align with the PKK and Iran or with the Turkish military and the anti-PKK Arab states?
To put the same question another way -- Will Erdogan align with Hitler (Ahmadinejad) or Stalin (Putin and Assad)?
Prediction: Erdogan goes with Stalin.
Turkish army hold many different opinions in itself. We are the children of middle class Turkish society and many of us prefer not to raise our voices.
The highest voice does not mean it is the voice of the majority. The current and the former chief of staff is well-aware what many of us think, and thus will react responsibly.
Look at the crowds before the election and compare it with the election results.
You will understand how Turkish people and its army behave in vital occasions.
The people who may not know Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan adn his followers, the above seems very tempting in terms of defending democracy.
But those who know his past, him giving speech about how terrified he is from Democracy, how he hates EU, how he bent on his knees and saw Taliban as a mentor or burning down +30 Turkish secular intellectual in Sivas in 1990s know that what he is upto. To cut short, they use democracy until they get what they target.
Please, try to dig into the actuals before commenting on such issues.
There is a problem with western perception of Erdogan. They tend to see him as a mild islamasist but my information sources here tell me a different story. They tell me that he has been infiltrating the education system with fundamentalist Islamic teachers who have graduated from religious colleges rather than from the normal state universities. He is also someone who has no problem prosecuting cartoonists who lampoon him. One thing that Mark Mandell should realize is how devisive the head scarf is in Turkey. There is a fear that once it is allowed into public institutions then Turkey will begin a long slow spiral down into a theocratic state.
the role of the military here is also not well understood by outsiders but it is one of the few countries where the military sides with secular democracy and one of the few where a coup does not mean a right wing dictatorship.
Giving Mr Erdogan fair credit, he is the first Prime Minister to tackle the sticky economic problems of inflation and unemployment.
The view from Istanbul, which probably could be seen as a separate country with 17 million people, is that this was an election that the CHP lost, not one the AKP won. I think it is time for some statesman like behaviour from the leaders of the opposition parties, who should read the writing on the wall and prepare their parties for new leadership that is not bereft of ideas and positive policies.
It is also time to come to grips with two issues that most Turks keep avoiding which is a diplomatic resolution of both the Cyprus and Kurdish issues.
Europe is not understanding the place of the army in Turkey. If it weren't for the army Turkey would have already become an other Iran,
Pakistan or a S.Arabia.
And with the help of the European democracy we will risque secularism
and there will be dress regulations
and the ramadan drums will oblige all to wake up for fasting, girls in mini dresses will be harassed, and eventualy headsscarfs will be mandatory. Please keep your democracy to yourself. Democracy can't have the same standarts in each culture.
Without being prejudice to any side, and analayze the Turkish politics neutrly, here my thoughts:
Ataturk established an empty Turkish state without any link to its culuture past. Clearly such a state will eventually die over time and thats what are we seeing.
How could a GREAT nation like the Turks have all its history greatness and their people reduced to only one man called Ataturk. No matter what he did, he is not bigger than the GREAT nation of Turks.
Turks will eventually restore thier culutre history and beleives and thats what we are seeing. Not to forget, in the not far past they were the most powerful nation in this EARTH.
My expectation in the coming 2 decades we will see a completely new Turkey. I have visted many areas in Turkey, and I know who is producing more babies, and its a very very simple math to know who will eventually dominate.
I can't beleive the real great Turks will continue to allow only the picture of one man in their currency!! Truks are way much bigger.
abdullah
The time has come for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ to change terminology for the AKP, from "mildly islamist" to "Muslim democrat".
Just like the Christian democrats in Germany and the Netherlands receive votes from lots of conservative people who are atheists when it comes to their beliefs, the Muslim democratic AKP has received millions of votes from liberal, secular, left-leaning or conservative, and even completely atheist Turks (not to mention from the majority of the Christian Armenians). Not because these liberals support an Islamic state, but simply because they like the AKP's policies on issues of freedom and democracy, and they understand that all this talk about fundamentalism is just propaganda.
I know from the first hand that many leftist, a-religious people have voted for the AKP this time. Call them what they are: centrist Muslim-democrats.
I must say your metaphors today are sensational !
I also wonder about the army's attitude to future Kurdish demands. Will they stoke the tension at the border so as to keep nationalist pressure up
It is indeed hard to tell how islamic some of the parties really are. They have to court the islamic vote. Recently in Glasgow, UK a Christian party fielded a Muslim candidate. Politics always trancends religion. There is a danger when intellectual ideas are seen as elite and open to attack in the rush to court the uneducated vote. It is a pity that the 'evil west' tag can be attached to a lifestyle which just happens to be predominant in the west. I hope that people of good will hold sway and that they have a little more sway over their government than we often have in the west.
Well Mr Mardell, the longer you stay in Turkey the better you understand its culture. This is one of the best reviews I read for a long time. Congratulations! I won't be surprised if you keep coming back to Turkey as I am sure by now you appreciate Turkish hospitality and food, and from this article it looks like you also appreciate its colorful politics. Perhaps you could almost see the glass half full in your future writings, and hopefully Turkey has gained one more friend it desparately needs.
It's absolutely disgusting to see bbc call AKP islamist. The same party that disposed Turkey of a law that legally recognizes husbands as the "leader" of a household.
I'm a turkish atheist studying in the US. My girlfriend is ethnically armenian.
We both voted for AKP.
There is a religious party that gets 3% of the votes already (SP), and they get the fundamentalist votes anyway.
We have friends who wear headscarves and don't see them as a threat to anything.
people voted AKP in for the economic progress and AKP knows this.
The whole secularism rhetoric is a cheap propoganda used by the opposition, who believed (wrongly) that the word secularism will immediately win them the election. So they didn't utter a single word about the economy and how they'll make it better. not a SINGLE word (yes I'm sure they had a few pages somewhere, but they never brought the issue up). all they talked about was invading Iraq and Executing Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned ex-leader of the terrorist group PKK.
people who support CHP are elitists who don't want to see any change in Turkey whatsoever (elitism here doesn't necessarily mean wealth (We're quite financially fortunate but we voted for AKP anyway), but more like a "holier than thou" type of thing).
for example, AKP, throughout the last 4.5 years, provided poor people with food and coal for the winter.
One pro-CHP elitist (just yesterday) saw this as a "waste of resources" (I'm quoting him word by word, he was on the turkish channel NTV last night around 1 am). This is what I mean by elitism. Obviously it is getting AKP a lot of votes, but governments before AKP didn't even BOTHER to do this.
CHP's leadership hasn't changed in the last 4 elections (not just the leader itself, but the entire cabinet leading the party) even though they kept on losing.
CHP is an old guard with ideas left from 1950's. Their idea of "left" bends towards communism, they lack a vision and therefore are obsolete.
We have a lot to learn about history and games played with political terminology, here in the West.
We are totally out of order for christening the outside world with 'labels' representing our own anxiety and fears about them (simply because we can't be bothered to educate ourselves).
Turkey has such a deep and complex social structure that Europeans just don't understant it. The EU needs to stew in its' own political juices and decimated social fabric of society for a several more decades before it can reach a mental caliber of mentally to understand the Turks.
Turks are going to be too powerful to feel the need to join a club with a fluid-memorandum, by its' 100th anniversary (of the Republic. I.e. by 2023). The Turks really are that close to not needing the 'prestige' of becoming Europeans.
As the Priminster says, reforms to align Turkey with Europe to the Coopenhagen criteria will continue, irrespective of what Sarkozy and other -ve biased members say or think.
Turkey may have a $200 billion dollar national deficit by todays standards, but what lies beneath its soils is natural mineral resources to the tune of almost $800 trillion.... That's before considering what it means to be an Energy-Corridor between East and West, and an abundance of oil fields that have not yet been explored.. (coincidently, this is the region the Kurds want ownership of).
Whereas, we in the West have practically depleted all ours, carelessly ever since the Industruial Revolution....
It is a credit to the Turkish society to be tolerant of its' citizens diverse religious and personal beliefs, to host such diversity under one Turkish roof.
I don't believe the Brits, Germans, French or Italians, or any other EU nation would tolerate any minority group living in those countries to voice the desire to divide the land to set up an independent state. CAn you imagiine Britain losing Brimingham to the Asian setllers, just becvause they want independence?
And yet, Turkey still embraces those seperatists like Mr.Tayyip Erdogan - The Prime Minister has done in his election winning speach.
The point I want to make is about the ISLAMIC PARTY hype and allegations. Why do the European Press want to tarnish the Turkish nation this much?
Wherther Turkish politicians are liberal or religious (Muslims), Europeans must be able to distinguish the difference between between SHARIA LAW and DEMOCRACY.
Turkey clearly practices the latter. Westserm media should stop spreading lies and propoganda and RETURN TO REPORTING NEWS IMPARTIALLY and LEARN TO SHUT UP IF YOU DON'T ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT YOUR'RE TALKING ABOUT. Write about the skies, the weather or the Queen, instead.
It is becoming more obvious that EUROPEANS clearly know very little about histor. Either because their documentation of it is far from factual events. Or their curriculums do not stretch far beyond their own borders or deep enough into the last century.
The Turks deserve time and consideration of their true identity not passing judgment upon them based on gas!
As a Turk I resent Mark Mardell's fabricated verbal-illustration of Turkey's armed forces. The Turkish armed forces represent the republic's founder, Mustafa Kemal. If anyone looks him up, they will realize why Tueky and its' armed force is so feared by the West and why they would like to see it go...
Let's not forget that this army that you freely critique holds a very different place in a region so volatile and explosive as the Middle East.
Let's not forget that less than a century ago, that army allowed the Turkish state to exist and prevented the occupation of England, France, Italy, Russia and Greece, which would have rendered Turks with little more population and land than American Indians on today's US reservations.
Let's not make assumptions that the army was going to take action when Turkey has avoided coups for much longer than a member of EU has avoided seeing explosively violent showdowns in a former colony -- take now for instance.
I know that the army issue is big and is a huge symbol but you have to consider where this country is located and what long-past coups did for the people in the long run.
Where do people get off insinuating that Turkey is such a barbaric place? I know that honor killings are highlighted (and those take place in the East and not the West of the country). But does anyone take notice of the weird, perverse things that happen in the countrysides of the Western nations? It's just as bad -- incest, polygamy, tons of trash. Please stop treating the Turkish issue like Oliver Stone Midnight Express. The actual character in that movie just published a book of regret for even giving that movie idea to such a butcher thus slandering the reputation of Turkey.
Your blog is right about many things, and I often praise it. But the nuances of the language you choose indicates a lot of ignorance about Turks' resilience and abilities to learn from political mistakes.
Thank You Tamer Temel. You say it best.
Thank you Mark for a very interesting series of articles on and from Turkey. It certainly gives us plenty to think about.
It looks to me as if Turkey is now going through the sort of transition that Spain went through in the post-Franco priod.
I wish the people and country a happy and prosperous future in or outside the E.U.
Someone once gave the following mathematical explantion of Turkey to me when I was trying to grapple with all the social forces and 'secret' states and organisations and such like and so forth.
He, a Turk and political scientist told me:
"Turkey is like this mathematical sum, 12+8=31" he looked at me and smiled.
Yes, quite, sometimes when I try to work out all the different forces at work I find it useful to remember his comment.
I am sure that most of the Turks living in my area in Berlin would have voted for the ruling party. Most of the women wear headscarves and there are scores of `men only´ cafes. It reminds me of England in the 1920`s ! There is a very large community of people from Anatolia here.I don`t think that they have it easy as they are regarded in Turkey as `German Turks´and as many middle-aged and older people speak little or no German, they are unable or unwilling to really intergrate into German society.The area does not really have much of a German feel to it, some people would suggest that that`s a good thing.The first thing one notices is the truly `macho´way the young men behave and this is what many consider to be un-European ( though I`m sure many Italians would beg to differ ) !
A gay friend of mine recently told me of the existence of gangs of Turkish youths who go out `gay bashing´at the weekend and I have personally witnessed a German lady being badly insulted by young Turks for being too scantily dressed.
I would like to add that I have met some very articulate and very nice exceptions.However, since the E.U.`s criteria for membership do not seem to include being geographically part of Europe, the speaking of a European language or a shared cultural heritage,...why shouldn`t they be allowed to join !
I did not vote for this elections. let me explain why.
Chp and Akp is playing the classic win/win game. its all show business.
While Chp pretends as if they are the only defenders of secularism and republican values it also argues that these values and seculairsm is unde threat because of Akp.
Akp pretends as if they are to some extend opposed to some strict values of the republic (because of its restrictive outcomes)
then the both party blame eachother crating millions of supporters from a given sample of the confused masses (voters) Having confused and mobilized and aggitated by the slogans and fight of these two, the masses gets polorized and so called politicized. then they vote either for chp or for the akp.
the result is the outcome of the prisonners dillema.. win/win..
Circulation of political elites goes on and on.
millions of upright walking organisms (namely voters) continue to be politicized in the context of their dreams.
its all show business. Besides AKP, MHP, CHP are all classic third world country political parties.
they gets vote from normal masses. not from intellectuals nor from th informed public.
Nevertheless, the election result is positive. At least those who are put down by the Chp (labeled as ignorant bigots) will find a chance to acces to resources by dint of AKP government Thus have a chance to educate themselves .. at leas their children.. So the next generation of Turkey is quite positive. they will be more educated, economically better off, more open minded and westernized.
The traditional ruling elite is already westernized. so its time to enlarge the westernized population (in the long run of course)
I still don't understand why my own country is denying women the basic human right of wearing the headscarfe to educational institutions. Yet we call ourselves democratic ?
Mark,
I would really like to see an investigative report on different educational environments in Turkey. The fear of AKP does not come from immediate transformation to sheria, but it comes from how they poison the new generation of Turks. I am a Turk, living in US, and I was 100% sure that I would send my kids to schools in Turkey because the education was much better than the one in US. However, I recently got hold on to some schoolbooks and I am shocked!!! No matter what they say about AKP, I cannot let my kids study such dogmatic literature or viewpoint of life. I would rather send them to downtown public schools in US and watch them become drug dealers than allow them to become Taliban like individuals.
If Turks won't do anything, then west should know the facts and take action on the education problem of AKP's Turkey. Otherwise, Europe will have grave danger in future from its eastern borders (of course I am sure they will not accept such Turkey, for their own sake)
Great article by Tamer Temel. WHy does ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ need to send someone like Mark Mardell all the way from Uk instead of publishing comments of expats already have been in Turkey for years. Being a foreigner does not mean to be non-Turkish, and the other way around is also true. I protest ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ for sending someone with no previous knowledge about TUrkish politics, and someone obviously cannot speak-understand Turkish. How could we assume accuracy in someone's blog who even cannot follow Mehmet Barlas-Emre Kongar hard talk programme?
BBc should realise it has been watched and followed many Turks who find all this BBc reports rubbish, and very very inaccurate, or in its kindest way, primitive.
Speaking of EU accession, something just dawned on me, and I am surprised I didn't think of this before.
In order to advance the Kurds independence (which I support) it is essential Turkey gets to join the EU (which I oppose).
If Turkey was in the EU there is no way anyone would let them militarily slap down any independence drive. You see Turks, once you join the EU, you give up your national sovereignty.
A mighty dilemma this represents.
Now, how are we going to get Kurdish independence on the negotiating table?
I am surprised how little the Western commentators understand the dangers of Islamic movement in Turkey and completely ignore the oppression of women in Islamic countries.
Why on earth EU would accept a country as a Political Islamic State while many countires in EU (Germany, France) can not stand the traditional Muslim people who work and live in their countries now. AK party seems to be too naive to understand this point, is hopeful for entry and presents itself as a progressive party. This is also the same party which tried to introduce adultary as a criminal act!! AKP does not seem to understand the Machiavellianism of EU.
Turkey was formed as a secular state and its only place in the modern world is as a secular one. Ataturk saw the contradictions between Islam and modernity and opted for the modernity. Unfortunately half of the Turkish nation have not been wise enough (dare I say educated enough) yet to understand this point and how irrelevant the democracy is when it comes to such an important crossroad. No one wants the intervention of the army but for Turkey this is a necessary evil. The test is for AKP to prove how secular it is.
Betul Nelson, Kent, UK
I invite Mark Mardell to respond to the comment by Tamer Temel (23rd July), the contents of which express the views of many secular Turks.
It is easy to pass comments but the real skill is how to respond to the analysis which challenges those views.
I don't really care whether the AKP is mildly or wildly islamist. It's up to the Turks to organise their society.
The big test for Erdogan is Cyprus. If he is serious about making Turkey an EU member, he should withdraw the Turkish troops from the island immediately. There would be absolutely no risk for the Turkish minority as Cyprus will not dare to take the North back (EU membership tends to pacify the hot-heads).
Of course, this could be suicidal for him, given the power of the Turkish army. But I find that it is time for us to know whether Turkey is a democratic country or a military dictatorship in disguise.
If I understand Tamer Temel, Turks are very proud of their country (fine with me), Europeans are decades away from being mentally capable of fathoming Turkish society (seems a bit long), Turkey is soon going to be so rich and powerful that it does not need Europe (good), Turkish society is very tolerant (try building a church), and European democracies do not tolerate minority groups striving for independence (let's see : Scottish National Party, Umberto Bossi's Northern league, Vlaams Belang).
It is unclear to me why Turks then strive to become part of the EU, unless they want to boss the Europeans around.
The role of armed forces in a EU style democracy is not to exert any political influence. The Turkish army intervened 5 times since WW2 in the political arena, which is much more than any army in the EU. Maybe they represent Mustafa Kemal, but he is not alive anymore.
As for the Islamic party, a skeptic European can well ask whether Mr. Erdogan, who was jailed in 1999 for saying "Mosques are our barracks, domes our helmets, minarets our bayonets, believers our soldiers. This holy army guards my religion." has a hidden agenda or not. This does not imply tarnishing the Turkish nation, but is simply part of the freedom of expression.
I liked Mark's efforts to report on the Turkish elections. Obviously he comes with a British background, which any person capable of independent thought can factor out. But I think the situation in Turkey needs to be debated in view of the EU membership bid, and one does not need to be Turk in order to do that.
I like to thank Tamer Temel. You have spoke for all of us. All it is; still European countries have the symptom of Old sick man got away with a new birth pains that never went away for them. They can not get over it. Our military will keep our freedom and democracy. We do not need wolves in sheep skin (inside and outside of our motherland)in the name of democracy to get what they want and shed their sheep skin after. They know what they are after and military and us know too. Let EU face their own crippled mentality for Turks that been there all along, we do not have any identity crises but they still have a sore taste in their mouth about Turks. We will not became Islamic Country ruled by Seriat. And Kurds should not play to others hidden agendas and live in peace and be satisfy with what we have given them all these years-Turkish hospitality......
Dear Mark, I think in your postings you have concentrated too much on 'the spectre of AKP' and fallen for a lot of the Kemalist/nationalist electioneering propoganda.Luckily the people of Turkey did not.
I also think that you've concentrated far too little on the Kurdish issue in Turkey which is the biggest real political issue facing Turkey today.
Although the election may be over The Kurdish Question is not solved and threatens, if not solved, to deepen the crisis in Turkey further and create further destabilisation in Middle East as a whole.
The Turkish secular state is a bureaucratic fabrication. It is an imperfect state with a dichotomy of democratic leanings, while its checks and balances against theocracy rely on hard power institutions - the military as an entity, and railings against "anti-Turkishness" in Turkish society.
Without viable candidates, PKK will erode. Then, the only thing left to guard Ataturk's secular Turkish state will be the army. There is real cause for concern looking towards the future.
I agree completely with Mr. Kramer. As an agnostic Turk I voted for AKP on sunday, because it is the most pro-western, pro-freemarket, pro globalization of the existing political parties in the country.
Marcel says, 'In order to advance the Kurds independence (which I support) it is essential Turkey gets to join the EU (which I oppose).'
I am Kurdish, I want to stay part of Turkey. Who is MARCEL to support MY 'independence' from MY COUNTRY?
PKK is a disgusting bunch, they brainwash children, raid kurdish villages murder those who do not support them including children and women. How dare you support that i be ruled by these barbarians. This is an insult to Turkish Kurds.
Marcel and others like him, MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS.
Betula Nelson invites mark to respnd to Tamer Temel's comments?
Mark has already responded to Tamer Temel and to people think like him with his blogs.
What mark writes and think are great analysis and observation of paranoid political thougths embeded in turkish politics and turkish masses.
This form of paranoid thought has been spreading out systematically by the bureaucratic elite's coercion via turkish media.
and tamer is just a media parrot.
and mark is just analyzing this situation. lol
so its no point repeating himself. he doesnt have to respond. he already did.
Someone asked Mark to respond to the comments of Tamer Temel (#13). I hope, too, that Mark will respond. In the meantime a couple of my own thoughts:
It is a credit to the Turkish society to be tolerant of its' citizens diverse religious and personal beliefs, to host such diversity under one Turkish roof.
Sorry, about which Turkish society are you talking? Not the current one, for sure. Yes, from Turkish history books one would get the impression that Turkey was the most tolerant nation that ever existed (with the possible exception of the Ottoman Empire). Then how is it possible that everyone who claims that they are NOT being treated with respect and tolerance (like Armenians, Kurds, Alevis or people with strong Islamic beliefs, to mention but a few), is immediately branded a liar, an enemy of the state or a traitor? Doesn't sound tolerant to me.
CAn you imagiine Britain losing Brimingham to the Asian setllers, just becvause they want independence?
In what way are you comparing the Kurds to the Asian settlers in Britain? It sounds silly, to put it friendly, to assign a people that has been living in the same area for many centuries, the same rights as people who migrated 20-30 years ago.
And yet, Turkey still embraces those seperatists like Mr.Tayyip Erdogan - The Prime Minister has done in his election winning speach.
Mr. ErdoÄŸan clearly stated that he will continue the fight against terrorism. (And rightly so, obviously.) The ones whom he embraced, were (amongst many others) the people in the Southeast of Turkey, including the Kurds. So, from your remark, I conclude that you consider all Kurds as separatists. How is that tolerant, let alone honest or fair?
The Turkish armed forces represent the republic's founder, Mustafa Kemal. If anyone looks him up, they will realize why Tueky and its' armed force is so feared by the West and why they would like to see it go...
The West doesn't want to see the Turkish army "go". They just wish Turkey to be a democracy, in which the army does what any army in any democracy does: defending the borders / national interests or whatever, under the command of a democratically elected, civilian government. Criticizing the army for undemocratic behavior is not "against" the army, as nationalists always claim, but simply a statement of democracy.
The point I want to make is about the ISLAMIC PARTY hype and allegations. Why do the European Press want to tarnish the Turkish nation this much?
I don't think that the European press, with the possible exception of some conservative or nationalist media, is looking to "tarnish" the Turkish nation. Especially the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is, as far as I can see, absolutely not anti-Turkey.
However, I do agree with you that the amount of misunderstanding and ignorance among many Western reporters is staggering. At the very least, the use of headlines and photographs in most media is misleading. The AKP is still referred to as "Islamist" or at least "Islamic", whereas the general consensus in Turkey clearly goes in the direction of labeling them "center-right", with no special religion connotation. And the pictures invariably show women with headscarves celebrating the AKP victory. This paints an incorrect image of the situation in Turkey, and many readers (who only read headlines and look at the pictures) are confirmed in their xenophobic and Islamofobic prejudices. Shame on these photo editors!
The Milliyet newspaper (far from a religious one) has published a series of pictures which paint a different, and more correct story (see and click on the pictures to see the whole series). These photographs show that the AKP victory has brought Turks closer together, and offers a unique opportunity to bridge this unholy secular/religious gap, that has been widened on purpose by irresponsible politicians. (First and foremost Deniz Baykal, whose political role seems to be finished now: the people don't want any more agitation and crisis-mongering. The day he leaves the political stage, the future of Turkey will look 50% brighter than the day before.)
@Mark: Perhaps you would want to add the pointer to these photographs to your next blog entry? An alternative link is (click on the picture to start the series in a new window).
Congratulations to all democrats in Turkey with the AKP victory, and I hope it will bring more peace and tolerance to this wonderful country. The outlook is certainly positive.
The media in the West have lately coined the term 'paranoia' to describe what those who believe AKP is following a secret Islamic agenda feel towards Mr Erdogan and his party. Well, let's take a look at why some of us may feel 'paranoid' towards Mr Erdogan and his party's policies.
1) First of all, despite what many might think- unfortunately a nearly 50 percent of the Turkish population-the economy has been put on a somewhat firm track thanks to regulations that have taken place during Mr Ecevit's time. Mr Erdogan and his fellow party members have been bearing the fruits of Mr. Ecevit's government.
2) Education, especially for a country like Turkey-that is, on its way to a fully developed and modernized country with such a large population- is EVERYTHING. I was terribly upset yet not so shocked to find out that AKP has been long infiltrating the education system by appointing teachers with diplomas from religious colleges -and this is not some mere propoganda I have read before the elections- I have made a wide research on this subject
3)Should the Westerners who blame us of paranoia decide to dig into these two men's pasts(Erdogan and Gul's)they will easily find quotes about how -according to their views- Islam and the secular ideals are NOT compatible and that new changes must be established in order to fit the Islamic ideal!...
4) unfortuntely the governments until now have worked towards making the rich even richer and always undermined the other 90%of the population...What AKP has done was to have created a false image, one that was highly tempting to that 90% desperately in need to have been recognized. AKP's smart strategy of recognizing and giving false hopes to that 90%, along with a lack of better alternatives have resulted in its success.
Erdogan said and I quote : 'wait and have patience until every corner has been taken under our control...'
So to all the dear westerners out there who would coin me and my alikes as being 'paranoid' EXCUSE US!
EXCUSE US for feeling safe knowing a strong army (or whatever you wanna call it -fascist anti demcoratic fundamentalists!-) is backing us up. I dont't care whether the army is what stands between a fully democratic and an anti democratic Turkey - but let's be honest, if it wasn't for the army,Turkey would have already become an Iran, or Saudi Arabia and I wouldn't be here with my nails painted red wearing my short skirt and getting a good education...what is more important I would problably NOT dare to speak my mind ever...Hey, if EU wants this army that makes me feel safe and protects my basic rights to back off, the hell with that kind of democracy. We must not forget each country as well its people and its customs deserve a closer look! One cannot put certain ideologies in action and expect all the countries to follow the SAME path...Our army, as the self proclaimed protectors of the Kemalist Turkey may perhaps have a lot to reform within itself however this instituiton is a pillar to our modern life which will remain there whether EU likes it or not.
Good education is what our people need, a better education is what will bring us a better future. We need to make serious reforms in our education system and make sure it is accesible in every corner of our country.
I am facinated with the childlike coverage of turkish politics in the western media. It seems to me that the bbc and other news organisations should have a more sophisticated knowledge of a country than the average beer swilling marmaris tourist and yet all I saw during the recent election campaign was headscarf and army talk. we are talking about the core of a great civilisation. An anatolian legacy that predates islam by 3 millania, with all the complexities that one would expect from such history. modern Turkey came from the remains of the ottoman empire ,it did not appear by writ of the western powers, so many lines drawn on a map. please don`t make the mistake of thinking that it is a desert sheikdom, just waking up to its potential. It is a fully working society with all the divisions and points of view one would expect. The ak party is a manifestation of the rise in economic prosterity not islamic fundamentalism and the shouting from the chp is no more and no less than the traditional cry of any old elite down the ages "the pesants are revolting". well maybe they are, but as a big fan of rural turkey, I for one am delighted.
I don't think anybody in turkey will object or prohibit head scarves.. our mothers, our sisters.. they will always be welcomed to universities, or any other places.. as long this issue is not abused and brought forward as a political stunt of some religious groups.. which is the point missing in this article.. these guys are there standing and grouping and supporting each other for a political islamic agenda.. nobody would care otherwise.. Go to bogazici university.. istanbul uni, and many other unies..
Dear Mark Mardell let them be in your country.. in cambridge, oxford, and imperial.. and let there be built mosques at every corner of London.. then write this article.. it is an epidemic in turkey..
"If they found a common presidential candidate with the Kurds, that could really have the top brass polishing their tanks. A more likely, and more powerful, deal with the nationalists would be controversial and further undermine the official opposition."
Actually, neither option is necessary. Even before the election Erdogan, after a failure to make Gul Turkey's president, has stated that he'd try to to have a law changed to allow a president to be elected directly by voters. In view of AKP's electoral gains it is highly likely that Mr. Gul could still become Turkey's president as a result of such a direct election.
In the meantime, though, Turkey can definitely say goodbye to a EU membership, because the success of a leader (Erdogan) who's attempted to subsidize Muslim schools with secular state's funds will significantly strenghten position of those within EU who've been already claiming that Turkey does not belong
in united Europe.
J. Barry wrote: However, since the E.U.`s criteria for membership do not seem to include being geographically part of Europe...why shouldn`t they [Turkey] be allowed to join !
I'm curious how the poster would explain granting a EU membership to Cyprus, which is located south of Turkey and east of a sizeable portion of it.
BTW. Geographers and cartographers agree that a line separating Europe from Asia runs along Ural Mountains so those who oppose granting EU membership to Turkey better come up with other arguments than geographical ones.
Excellent job Mark many thanks for conjuring up the debate on Turkey with dignity selected and balanced blogs.
This sort of platforms show how important is ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ to provide a platform as far a field from Americas to Far East. I do not see this in French Media, German media or as the subject is Turkey, in Turkish media. Provision of public services of this type in various languages or even in Turkish does not exist in Turkey. That is why a lot of Turkish people flocking to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ website like me.
If there was an attempt to set one up comes up, both the Armed Forces (hence CHP and MHP) and the AKP will object because it will show what they are upto? They then charge the very person with treason! Look no further than Yasar Kemal: a very Turkish writer.
For those Turkish people, please be critical and look around for a library, some public records and investigate your rights, question the journalist why they are not asking the very questions Mark and some others are asking. Having a vote and elections does not make it a democracy. You need to live in one to understand what democracy really means. I am sure you have bought and sold a car in Turkey, how easy is it? Even under communism it was not that hard. I hope questions do get asked to AKP and to the Armed forces by Turkish people and Turkish press. A true democracy test is around the corner but we are far from there yet.
Thanks ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ please carry on your innovative public service to Britain and the world.
I invite Mark Mardell to respond to Temel Tamer's comment and read the article by Amir Taheri- A very Turkish Coup? It may be already under way, The Times newspaper- 16th July.
Although I am not Turkish, I have been there as a Tourist and I have noticed with many conversations with Turks that there has always been a struggle between the Secularists who were in fact created by the modernizing programs of Kemal Ataturk and then of course, the groups of Turks that embrace both Islam as well as past cultural relationships to the Turkish Ottoman period. In other words, many would like to see the return of the Fez and such and that Turkey return to its routes as a Theocracy then and headed by some sort of colorful Sultan. The past is easier to tread than the future..there are some Turks who feel this way.
Generally, the World must consider Kemal Ataturk an amazing personality. In fact he singlehandidly brought
Turkey out of the past and laid the foundations which
leads directly to the future. I also think of Kemel Ataurk was alive, he would definitely encourage all
Turkish Citizens to join the European Common Market. I sincerely hope that the Turks adhere to the present and future. Returning to the past would be a disaster.