In or democracies, a choice may mean voting for a party. Turkey is voting on its form of government. Sultanate or parliamentary democracy. April 28, 2018, 21:54 UhrEditiert on April 28 2018, 21:54 Uhr14 comments
Read Turkish original here. The text has been edited easily for German version.
For 16 years, Erdoğan’s government has been in power, and in two months ‘ time it must once again prove itself at ballot box. And with it, 95-year-old Turkish Republic also makes one of greatest trials of its history. In or democracies, a vote may mean voting for one party, but in Turkey it will vote for a form of government. The electorate must choose between sultanate and parliamentary democracy. The result will probably determine fate of Turkey for a long time.
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is editor-in-chief of Internet platform Özgürüz. He is now writing for Us Weekly about crisis in Turkey.
Originally, parliamentary elections were to take place toger with presidential elections in November next year. But Erdoğan saw economy weaken, his party falling back in polls, and opposition rising. And refore set a surprisingly recent election for June 24th. This made him unprepared for his opponents, who so far could not agree on a common candidate. He had already announced his own candidacy, signed an alliance with nationalist MHP, modified electoral law and declared that elections would be held under conditions of state of emergency. He had been amused to see how a loyal entrepreneur took over largest media group in Turkey. Erdoğan believed he had secured election result, but he did not expect opposition. Before I go into details, both sides and names that we will hear frequently for next two months are presented.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: Since 2002 in power, his party came with 34 percent to government and fell, with one exception, since n not again under 45 percent, where it is also present in polls. But Erdoğan needs 50 1 percent. To this end, he concluded an alliance with MHP, which was once his competitor.
Devlet Bahçeli: Head of right-extremist MHP. He tried to stop rapid decline of his party, which 2015 still had 12 percent, by being close to Erdoğan. He hopes to become a coalition partner, even if his party does not skip 10 percent hurdle.
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu: Chief of largest opposition party, CHP. Since he took over presidency in 2010, his party lost two referendums, three parliamentary, two municipal and presidential elections. But he does not give up. In polls, party is under 25 percent, which is why it seeks alliance with or opposition parties.
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Meral Akşener: The most interesting name in se elections. In turbulent nineties she was Minister of Interior. She ran for presidency of MHP, n stepped out and founded Iyi Parti (Good party). It is nationalist and center-right.
Selahattin Demirtaş: He was head of HDP known as Kurdish party. When his star came up and he brought HDP 13 percent, he retired to Erdoğan’s wrath. In November 2016 he was accused of membership in a terrorist group and has been in prison since n for over 500 days. He’s 142 years in prison. So Erdoğan set extremely explosive elections at a time when head of second largest opposition party is imprisoned and rest of opposition is not yet established. On weekend he was lost. The ACP wanted Akşener, which is rapidly gaining approval, to deny participation in elections. Now CHP unexpectedly corrupted game by borrowing Iyi party 15 deputies. Now opposition is negotiating a joint candidate against Erdoğan. The cards in politics are being redistributed and Turkey is preparing for hottest June since Gezi protests.
From Turkish by Sabine Adatepe
