Elections in Turkey: A Nationalist Landslide

the Democratic Left seems to be ready to open credit to the MHP in order to keep the Fundamentalists out.

One of the first problems the new government has to face is the trial against Mr. Ocalan. The prosecutors have asked for the death penalty against the Kurdish terrorist leader and Mr. Bahceli said he couldn't wait to see him hang. As one of the few among Turkish politicians Mr. Ecevit has always declared to be in favor of the abolition of the death penalty, but maybe he couldn't even get a majority for this position in his own party. Thus, future conflicts in the coalition seem already programmed.

Growing distance from Europe

A death sentence against Ocalan could not only lead to a new escalation in the conflict with the Kurds, but also to a deterioration of the relations to the European countries, which are already at tense. While the European Union continues asking for a better respect for human rights in Turkey in order to treat on its joining request, Turks feel themselves to be kept just outside the door simply for their religion. After the delusions of the last ten years, the Nationalist are asking now for a complete review of the relations with the European Union.

Even Mr. Ecevit doesn't like West Europeans who try to lecture Turkey about human rights and asked the European governments to drop their preconditions. In these circumstance the unquestionable experience and the secular cultural background of the next Turkish premier seem now the only guarantees against an further escalation. After the failure of the Republican People's Party, Ecevit's Democratic Left is now the only quite liberal force left in parliament. Ecevit, who lately has recognized the USA as Turkey's best and most reliable friend, is known for his firm believe in a secular state, human rights and democracy. In private he is used to a modest lifestyle in partnership with his wife Rahsan and he has not been involved in scandals. Although considered a tough nut, he is largely respected in Turkey as well as in most European countries

The generals' satisfaction

While most other observers are now quite concerned about Turkey's future, at least one Turkish institution seemed to be pretty pleased with the election result. The Turkish army, as the self appointed sentries of the secular Turkish state, had been in fear of a new success for the fundamentalists. The good result for the Nationalists,

Go To Page: 1 2 3 4

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic