Latest Articles about Turkey

REELECTED TURKISH PM SEEKS NEW, “EUROPEAN STYLE” CONSTITUTION

Fresh from his July 22 electoral victory, returning Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced plans to draw up a new, “more democratic and civilian constitution” (Today’s Zaman, August 1). The planned changes for the new constitution include more limited presidential powers, judicial review... MORE

POORER, LESS EDUCATED VOTERS PREFER TURKEY’S AK PARTY

A close look at voting patterns in the July 22 Turkish general election suggests that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has broadened its electoral base while retaining its grassroots support among lower-income groups and the more conservative sections of society. Yesterday, July... MORE

TURKEY’S CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC PRESENCE GROWS IN KYRGYZSTAN

Like other Central Asian states, Kyrgyzstan’s relations with Turkey have considerably strengthened since the collapse of the Soviet Union. A July 23 conference held in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz capital, on the role of political actors in state-building in Turkic countries in the 20th century showed... MORE

AKP SENDS MIXED SIGNALS OVER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

Today, July 25, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul today refused to confirm that he would withdraw as a candidate for the country’s presidency when parliament meets in early August 2007 to elect a successor to the incumbent, Ahmet Necdet Sezer. “I cannot ignore the will... MORE

DIVERSITY OF OPINIONS EXPECTED IN NEW TURKISH PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

For the first time in ten years, pro-Kurdish candidates have won seats in the Turkish parliament. Twenty-four independent candidates affiliated with the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) were elected on Sunday, July 22. An additional four non-affiliated independents also won seats. These new lawmakers will... MORE