Project on Middle East Democracy

Turkey

Fundamental information for understanding the state of political reform in Turkey

Prospects for Political Reform

» Turkey Update: The Latest

[Feb 23 5:59pm EST]


On Monday, Turkish police arrested 49 military commanders in Turkey’s three biggest cities- Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir- for allegedly conspiring to topple the government as part of the “Sledgehammer” plot. The details of this latest coup attempt were unveiled in the liberal Taraf newspaper last month and are possibly linked to the Ergenekon conspiracy. The arrest of high-level officials like former air force chief Ibrahim Firtina and former navy chief Ozden Ornek highlights once again the ongoing power struggle between the secular establishment and the moderately Islamist Justice and Development Party. For a concise, but thorough look at the military’s role in Turkish politics, check out this article in last week’s Economist.


[Feb 1 7:46pm EST]


UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon arrived in Cyprus on Sunday to invigorate long-running talks between Mehmet Ali Talat, the Turkish Cypriot leader, and Demetris Christofias, the Greek Cypriot leader. Both are in favor of reunifying the island, but have made little headway since negotiations started in 2008. The clock is ticking, and ticking loudly– if hardliner Dervis Eroglu wins presidential elections in Northern Cyprus in April as expected ,it could mean an end to talks. (Eroglu supports a two-state deal, which is anathema to most Greek Cypriots.) The Turkish government has backed Mr. Talat in his efforts since a peaceful resolution to the Cyprus dispute would remove one of the biggest obstacles to Turkey’s bid for EU membership. Moreover, it would strengthen Turkey’s “zero problems with neighbors” foreign policy.


[Jan 25 1:28pm EST]


Last week, the Turkish Constitutional Court overturned a law that would have allowed military personnel to be tried in civilian courts. The ruling drew criticism from leading members of the Strasbourg-based European Parliament and proved that the relationship between the AKP-dominated Parliament and the Kemalist courts remains tense.


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Daphne Mccurdy, Turkey editor
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The State of Political Reform

Political Parties and Participation

Human Rights

Elections

Press Freedom

Political Institutions

U.S. Democracy Promotion Policy

Legislation

  • For an overview of U.S. legislation relating to political reform in Turkey, see the Congressional Policy and Foreign Assistance section of the Turkey backgrounder
  • H.Res.106: Affirmation of the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolution (Summary | Full Text)
  • S.Res.65: Condemning the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist and human rights advocate Hrant Dink (Summary | Full Text
  • S.Res.331: Expressing the sense of the Senate that Turkey should end its military occupation of the Republic of Cyprus (Summary | Full Text)
  • H.R. 1268: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, 2005 (Summary | Full Text)
  • H.R. 2673: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004 (Summary | Full Text)
  • H.R. 1646: Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 (Summary | Full Text)
  • H.R. 1559: Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2003 (Summary | Full Text

Congressional Hearings

  • Hearing of the House Subcommittee on Europe: “U.S.-Turkish Relations and the Challenges Ahead,” March 15, 2007 (Transcript)
  • Hearing of the House Subcommittee on Europe: “Turkey’s Future Direction and U.S.-Turkey Relations,” October 1, 2003 (Transcript)

Assistance Programs

Public Statements

Sean McCormack, DoS Press Briefing, 7/30/08: Comments on the Constitutional Court’s decision not to close the AKP, “We would also encourage Turkey to use this moment to reinvigorate its efforts with the EU.”

Matt Bryza, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, 7/27/08: Comments on the AKP closure case, “If Turkey is going to get into the EU, which we strongly support, it has to adhere to European standards. So there needs to be an evolution of the democratic system, and that’s what is under way.”

Stephen Hadley, U.S. National Security Adviser, press availability, Ankara, 7/17/08: “Turkey has made some important democratic political reforms and free market economic reforms in the last several years and the United States believes strongly that this reform effort should continue.” Later he says, “This reform effort is supported by the people of Turkey and it will also bring Turkey closer to the European Union. The United States strongly supports membership for Turkey in the EU.”

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Other Reports and Publications

Basic Information

turkey-map-cia.gif

Official Name: Republic of Turkey

Government: Republic with Unicameral Legislature (550 seats)

Population: 71 million (2007); 80% Turkish, 20% Kurdish; 99.8% Muslim, 0.2% other (mostly Christians and Jews)

GDP per capita: $9,400

More Basic Info »

Constitution: The Turkish Constitution

Political Parties and Organizations

Domestic Media

Human and Civil Rights Organizations

Blogs