Majority of Turks against AKP closure - poll

A majority of Turks are against closing the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, for anti-secular activities and the party remains voters' first choice, a poll in Milliyet newspaper showed

Malaysia, Turkey comparison

It was the former U.S. Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke who defined Turkey and Malaysia as “moderate Islamic democracies” last August, stirring a hornet's nest in Turkey, where the

What kind of a closure case is this?

İsmet BERKAN

The MHP’s destiny

Like it or not, the only thing I can say about the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) is that it is a party with a legacy. There were convulsions, afflictions and ordeals in its foundation. All these processes make up the legacy of the MHP.

Is this really justice?

Cüneyt ÜLSEVER

Informed Comment: Arato: The Turkish Constitutional Crisis and the Road Beyond

Andrew Arato


We should be deeply worried about Turkey’s unfolding constitutional crisis, that could end in many things: the continuation and even conclusion of the long democratic transition; military coup with entirely uncertain consequences; or, in between them an unproductive stalemate. Obviously only the first can enable Turkey to become a member of the European Union, and remain the much needed bridge it already is between the “West” and the “Islamic World” (if these categories have any meaning)."

Turkey's Constitution

H.D.S. Greeway's column "Turkey's crumbling dream" (Views, June 20) is an example of high-handed commentary devoid of a real understanding of events in Turkey.

The issue being debated in Turkey is only whether the party in power - Justice and Development Party, or AKP - has committed acts against the Constitution. That is all. It has nothing to do with whether that party was elected or not, or whether or not they have a majority in Parliament."

Plan to get Kılıç off the case

According to a claim, the team which initiated the opening of the case to ban the AK Party is now pushing the Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Haşim Kılıç to either resign or to drop the case."

Presidential crisis

Presidential crises have become very fashionable all around the world, to such an extent that when such a crisis is resolved in one country, a new crisis is immediately sparked in another.

The CHP is a disgrace to social democracy (2) by HALUK ÖZDALGA

Embarrassment resulted this year when the media disclosed that General Staff headquarters had circulated several internal reports on issues outside the military's areas of responsibility and these came under criticism.

Turkey needs an opposition that spreads hope, not fear

I remember those early, off-the-record chats. The Justice and Development Party (AKP) leaders, astonished by the election victory in 2002, were conscious of the fact that their party, so full of promises then for a new Turkey, needed a rational opposition of the left.

Social democrats will warn the Kemalists

By MEHMET ALTAN, STAR

The social democracy we see across the world these days has been developed in a conflict between "bread and capital."

Time will tell content of Erdoğan-Başbuğ meeting

A surprise meeting between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Land Forces Commander Gen. İlker Başbuğ earlier this week has led to speculation over what brought the two together at such a politically sensitive time for Turkey.

Greek Cyprus rejects 'Turkish water'

Greek Cyprus has rejected a project to bring water to the island from Turkey despite the region being at the peak of a drought, daily Hürriyet reported yesterday. Greek Cypriots are instead

Cypriots' peace talks sound the unsound

Four years after huge disappointment followed Greek Cypriots' rejection of reunification with their Turkish neighbors, leaders of both sides will meet tomorrow to decide whether there is ground for

Baykal will not attend SI meeting

The main opposition Republican People's Party, or CHP, will not participate in today's meeting of the Socialist International, or SI, in Athens, and the executive board of the party will debate

Fethullah Gülen versus Ayatollah Khomeini?

Ziya MERAL

Will hawks or doves win in the DTP?

By MAHMUT ÖVÜR, SABAH

A rough struggle is taking place within the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP), between its "radical" and "democratic" groups. For the first time, the DTP's moderate groups are determined not to step back.

Difficult times for the CHP

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) is going through tough times because of irregularities in the party's accounts, as confirmed by the Constitutional Court last Friday.

Redundant agendas by SÜLEYMAN SEYFİ ÖĞÜN

It is difficult to argue that in ancient times people had such an issue as an "agenda." An agenda is already evident and fixed by traditions and customs.

The trap the MHP has fallen into

By YASİN AKTAY, YENİ ŞAFAK

How clear could the strategic reasoning, in particular any plans to trip up the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), have been in the role undertaken by the opposition National Movement Party (MHP) in putting through Constitutional changes aimed at lifting the headscarf ban?

Remove those ‘regime' pebbles!

By ESER KARAKAŞ, STAR

A point I understand but do not agree with when it comes to the concept of a "regime" is that there appears to be a constant readiness to swerve away from the principles of democracy and a state of justice, which are two of the main principles expressed in this meaningless word (the third principle being, of course, secularity).

CHP’s social democrat credentials under fire

Some newspapers yesterday mocked main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal who, instead of attending the Socialist International (SI) meeting that began in Athens yesterday, participated in a local Mulberry Festival in Ayaş, a town in Ankara province, calling it "Mulberry International."