AKP nominates Abdullah Gül as the candidate for presidency!
YAVUZ BAYDAR: The political rationale speaks exclusively for Gül
After a very bumpy journey, here we are, about to face the moment of truth. Despite all the efforts of derailing democracy, inventing a fundamentalist boogey man, fictionalizing a climate in which one hoped that the natural trust of the common citizen in a party one voted for would instantly evaporate, the crucial question still remains the same: Will the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) be able to elect a president, nominated by its will, for the next seven years?
OMER TASPINAR: The roots of Turkey’s frustration with west
Turkey’s current frustration with the United States is part of a larger and deeper resentment with Europe. In fact, Turkey’s anti-Americanism is made all the more complicated by a difficult and long history with Europe.
TURKEY REFUSES TO BACK DOWN ON IRAN ENERGY DEAL - Eurasia Daily Monitor
SAHIN ALPAY:President should be elected with broad consensus
By substantially strengthening its legitimacy, the July 22 elections further empowered the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government. In appreciation of its successful performance, voters from most social groups and regions gave the AKP the mandate to lead the country for a second five-year term. If the party continues its efforts to consolidate democracy, modernize the economy and avoids serious mistakes, it is likely to stay in power for a long time, making Turkey a more free and prosperous country....
IHSAN DAGI: A constitution without Kemalism
It is time to acknowlege the fact that is is impossible to have or maintain a Kemalist regime in an “open society,” with a “market economy” and through the “globalization process.” If we somehow uphold these three attributes of “contemporary civilization,” we need a post-Kemalist constitution.
Conciliation or imposition? by Dr. ADNAN KÜÇÜK
Certain groups, both before the July 22 elections when the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) had 351 deputies, and after the elections when it won 341 seats, winning 46.5 percent of the vote, waged a very intense campaign designed to force the AK Party to elect the president through a consensus, and they still are.
DOGU ERGIL: The way ahead: a civilian constitution
The making of a new constitution and the presidential elections are two challenges that lie before the newly elected Parliament. Turkish constitutions are, on the whole, byproducts of military coups or influence.
Çankaya’s signs, emblems and symbols
If we are today faced with a problem about the president’s wife’s headscarf, this problem should definitely be resolved in the way it was turned into a problem.
Bring down the wall of fear!
I keep hearing the following lately: “Is Abdullah Gül becoming president so easy?” “What would the military do?” “Wouldn’t there be a crisis?” “Would there be a coup?” Anxiety, fear! Why is it like this?
Being democrat in earnest not words?
Actually, we have known these people who are making a fuss over the consensus issue for a long time, although they underwent a mutation after the July 22 elections. Only one question is sufficient to re-test their ‘qualities”:
Gül’s insurance
Of course, circles that voted for the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) didn’t vote for it so that Abdullah Gül could become president. When they went to the ballot boxes, they didn’t have that thought in mind.
Gül’s presidency: an opportunity to break military tutelage?
Turkey is now focused on the presidential elections as the nomination period started on Friday. Actually, even with the general elections, the presidency issue never fell from Turkey’s agenda after the process hit a deadlock with a series of events like the military’s memorandum and the Constitutional Court’s quorum ruling.
