News

Turkish government pushes reforms towards referendum (Reuters, 2010)

Turkey's ruling AK Party won parliamentary backing for constitutional reforms on Friday, clearing the way for a referendum secularist critics aim to block as a threat to the Muslim country's secular order.

Battle over constitutional reforms in Turkey may bring early election (The National, 2010)

A fight over wide-ranging constitutional changes pushed through parliament by the religiously conservative government could mean early elections and a new attempt to close down the ruling party.

Turkey's Constitutional Court to rule on CHP appeal (SETimes, 2010)

The Constitutional Court will decide on Thursday (June 3rd) whether to accept the Republic People's Party (CHP) appeal of the new constitutional reform package.

Turkey's Saadet Party expects early elections (Daily News, 2010)

Turkey’s ruling party is likely to head for early elections, according to the head of the opposition Saadet (Felicity) Party.

Turkey's Saadet Party listens to Istanbul villagers (Daily News, 2010)

As Turkey gears up for its general elections next year, political parties have already started organizing activities for their electoral campaigns. The Saadet (Felicity) Party visited villages in Istanbul on Sunday to meet locals and listen to their problems.

Top Turkish Court Annuls Parts of Constitutional Reform Package (Turkish Weekly, 2010)

Turkey's top court Wednesday annulled parts of a government-sponsored package of constitutional changes curbing the powers of the judiciary that critics say will tighten the government's hold on power.

Turkey's referendum to be" historic turning point" in EU bid: Bagis (World Bulletin, 2010)

Turkey's state minister said that an upcoming referendum on a constitutional reform would be "a historic turning point" in the country's EU bid.

EU backs Turkish constitutional reforms, seeks to strengthen cooperation (Deutsche Welle, 2010)

EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton held talks in Istanbul on the country's stalled membership bid and Turkey's growing regional diplomatic role. The visit is seen as a first step in a new cooperation with Turkey.

Turkey’s Ruling AKP Trails Behind Republicans (Angus Reid Global Monitor, 2010)

Turkey’s governing party is not the most popular political organization in the country, according to a poll by Sonar Arastirma. 33.5 per cent of respondents would vote for the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) in the next legislative election, up one point since May.

Turkish opposition leaders call on women to enter politics (Hürriyet Daily News, 2010)

Long left out of the decision-making process, women must now enter politics to change Turkey, according to Republican People’s Party, or CHP, party leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.

Turkish opposition submits army law bill with little changes (World Bulletin, 2010)

Main secularist opposition party in Turkey on Thursday submitted to parliament a bill to amend an army law, backtracking earlier promise to lift.

Referendum voting for Turkish reforms starts at borders (World Bulletin, 2010)

Turkish citizens are also able to cast their votes at 25 border gates during their border crossing until 5:00 p.m. on September 12.

Voting for the September 12 referendum began at border gates on Tuesday (National Turk, 2010)

Voting started at 8:00 in the morning at Turkey’s border gate of Kapikule, Ipsala and Hamzabeyli in the northwestern province of Edirne (Video material)

Turkish PM sees stronger govt after 2011 elections (World Bulletin, 2010)

Turkish PM Erdogan said Monday a stronger government would be formed in Turkey following the general elections of 2011.

Turkish president concerned by referendum campaigns (Hürriyet Daily News, 2010)

Concerned by the increased bickering among political leaders in the lead-up to September’s constitutional referendum, President Abdullah Gül has warned political leaders to watch their manners while campaigning.

Turkish Prime Minister, Business Lobby Face Off (The Wall Street Journal, 2010)

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Turkey's largest business lobby that it risks "elimination" if it doesn't take a stand on the country's Sept. 12 referendum on constitutional change, as the campaign to influence the vote turns increasingly hostile.

Turkey fails to grant its expatriates the means to vote (Today's Zaman, 2010)

Although expatriates from many countries are provided the technical and procedural means to vote for elections or referendums in their home countries, many Turks living abroad will not be able to vote in the referendum slated for Sept. 12 because of the decisions of the Supreme Election Board (YSK).

Turkey: Davutoğlu says gov’t trying to solve expat voting problem (Today's Zaman, 2010)

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has said the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has been working to address a lack of legislation allowing Turkish citizens residing abroad to vote in general elections without having to come to Turkey in person.

Turkey votes on new constitution, The Irish Times (2010)

This article reports on the constitutional referendum in Turkey. On Sunday, September 12, the Turkish people voted to approve or reject a series of changes to the constitution (26 articles). Most of the changes regarded the powers and authority of the military, like the officials' accountability in front of civilian courts. According to the opinion poll, most of the people voted in favor of these reforms. Prime Minister Erdogan expressed satisfaction for the initial results. His AK Party will not concentrate on the next general elections, due next year.

Turkey's government encouraged by referendum results, VOA News (2010)

This article reports on the declaration of the final results of the referendum in Turkey. In the government-supported referendum, the majority of the voters approved the changes to the Constitution. Prime Minister Erdogan was surprised by the overwhelming victory: all 26 reforms were successfully approved. The referendum touched many different topics: the military will now be under the control of civilian courts, women and trade unions' rights have been extended. The two main opposition parties criticized the reforms.

Naysayer nationalist leader calls for early election in Turkey (World Bulletin, 2010)

Devlet Bahceli, chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party, called on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to go to early parliamentary elections.

Turkish election board unveils unofficial results of referendum (World Bulletin, 2010)

Turkey's Higher Electoral Board announced unofficial result of Sunday's referendum on the constitutional amendment package.

Coastal voters main naysayers in Turkish referendum (Hurriyet Daily News, 2010)

The end of a campaign held up as a preview of the general elections in 2011 leaves Turkish politics on the verge of a further deepening fissure between secularist and conservative poles. Once again, the coastal Aegean and Mediterranean regions are on the opposite side of the country's interior

Self-rule for eastern (and western) Turkey? (Hurriyet Daily News, 2010)

No doubt, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s sixth consecutive election victory in eight years (two general and two municipal elections plus two referenda) make him Turkey’s unchallenged political leader. His Justice and Development Party, or AKP, is a near perfect political machine too hard for its rivals to compete with. With solid evidence pointing to an invincible armada, its supporters have every right to be jubilant after Sunday’s vote.

Turkey: PM once again puts presidential system on agenda (Today's Zaman, 2010)

Following the triumph of his government's constitutional amendment package on Sunday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has signaled that Turkey would discuss the adoption of a presidential system after the upcoming general elections and referred to a possible model by the head of Parliament's Constitutional Commission, Burhan Kuzu, who is known to be working on a presidential system model peculiar to Turkey.

Turkey Votes: Evet or Hayir? (Georgiandaily, 2010)

Turkish voters September 12 approved a package of 26 constitutional amendments proposed by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Turkey sheds its military-backed constitution (The daily Star, 2010)

Although Turkey is a democratic country it was saddled with a constitution drawn by its military in 1980. Finally, on September 12, on the 30th anniversary of the 1980 military coup, the Turkish people adopted a democratic constitution after a referendum.

Turkey: Referendum puts shortcomings of voting system in spotlight (Today's Zaman, 2010)

Much significance was attached to a referendum Turkey held on government-sponsored constitutional reforms last week, both by opponents and supporters of the reforms.

Turkey's Erdogan plans election in first week of June, BusinessWeek (2010)

This article reports on the Turkish Prime Minister's statement about the next elections. PM Erdogan stated that he is planning to call an elections in the first week of June, and that he will not change the constitution until after the poll. Mister Erdogan was reelected in 2007, with his Justice and Development Party, and if elected once again he would become the country’s longest-serving prime minister since 1950.

Top Turkish party official keeps seat after election board rejects appeal, The Daily News (2010)

This article reports on decision of a local election board in Turkey to reject the appeal against the election of the Republican People's Party number two, Gürsel Tekin. Some member of the party requested that the elections be annulled over allegations that the quota for women imposed by the party's internal regulation (25%) had not been fulfilled.

Calls mount for post-election convention for Turkey's MHP, Hürriyet Daily News (2011)

Members of Turkey's Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP, are calling for a post-election party convention to address a number of important issues, most notably regarding the growing number of alleged "sex tape" scandals. There are growing calls within the party to have a change in leadership.

Turkey: OSCE: Journalists Apply Auto-Censorship, Bianet (2011)

This article reports the findings of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which launched a delegation to monitor Turkey's election ealier this month. Although the elections were certified as fair and free, the primary criticism is summarized as follows: "Turkey needed to advance freedoms in the country to achieve more democracy." Journalists and the media need more freedom from political pressure in the interest of bias-free reporting.

Turkey: Elderly, disabled voters fail to reach ballot boxes on election day, Today's Zaman (2011)

The Supreme Election Board (YSK) of Turkey did not fully implement agreed upon decision to supply ballot boxes in areas more accessible to elderly and disabled voters. The article highlights some of the tensions regarding this issue.

Turkey: Bomb hits Kurdish election party, ABC News (2011)

The article reports what is being interpreted as post-election violence in Turkey, as a party celebrating the victory of Kurdish candidates in the parliamentary election was bombed on the 13th of June. No official organzation has claimed responsibility for the bombing.

European observers: Turkish elections are well-managed and democratic, trend.az (2011)

According to international election observers from OSCE the election in Turkey were well-managed and democratic but they need improvements on fundamental freedoms. Moreover observers said there is a need to promote more participation and representation of women in the political life of the country.

Kurdish success in Turkey's elections, The Guardian (2011)

During the last parliamentary elections 36 Kurdish politicians were elected, nearly doubling the number of Kurdish representatives in parliament since the previous election. It can be considered as the first steps to admit the Kurdish minority which is essential regarding Turkey`s wish to join the EU.

Turkey Sets Presidential Election Date, Turkish weekly (2012)

Turkish deputy Prime Minister announced that presidential elections shall be held in August 2014.