Turkey crisis - a 'test case' for EU membership? [fr] [de]
The EU warned the Turkish military to stay out of politics, following its threats to defend the country's secularist system. The candidate EU member faces a major political crisis, following its failed first round of presidential elections.
Background
During the first round of the Turkish presidential elections on 27 April 2007, the ruling party candidate, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül, missed reaching the necessary two-thirds majority in the parliament by just ten votes.
However, Gül is very likely to win the vote in the third round on 9 May 2007, when only a simple majority is required.
The prospect of having a moderate Islamist party ruling both the government and the presidency has alarmed secularist forces in Turkey, the military and the main opposition leader, the Republican People's Party (CHP) alike. They accuse the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of undermining the country's foundations.
The Turkish army has staged three military coups in the past and in 1997 helped to peacefully overthrow the elected government.
Responding to the political crisis in Turkey, Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn urged: "It is important that also the military respects the rules of the democratic game and its own role in that democratic game."
The military had warned that it would be ready to defend the Turkish secularist system as nearly a million protesters took to the streets to demonstrate against the presidential candidate, following a failed vote in the parliament.
Rehn added: "This is a test case whether the Turkish armed forces respect democratic secularisation and democratic values."
The EU has criticised the influence of the military in Turkish politics on several occasions. Civilian control over the armed forces represents one of the political criteria for Turkish EU membership.
Despite pressures from the military and opposition forces, Gül has refused to withdraw his candidacy.
Positions
The Turkish military stated: "The problem that emerged in the presidential election process is focused on arguments over secularism. Turkish armed forces maintain their sound determination to carry out their duties stemming from laws to protect the unchangeable characteristics of the Republic of Turkey."
According to a commentary in the Frankfurter Rundschau, the Turkish military is willing to risk prospective EU membership.
Council of Europe Secretary-General Terry Davis expressed his concern about the Turkish military's comments and said: "It looks like a deliberate attempt by the armed forces to influence the election of a new president in Turkey. They should stay in their barracks and keep out of politics." He added: "I am shocked that the military in a member state of the Council of Europe should behave in this way in the midst of a democratic and constitutional process such as the election of the head of state."
Liberal MEP and Parliamentary Delegation for Relations with Turkey Vice-Chairman Andrew Duff said: "I am very concerned at the tone and timing of these remarks [by the Turkish military] which suggest a threat to the democratic legitimacy of the country. I hope that they are nothing more than a personal view and do not represent a signal that the military would be prepared to set aside the democratic process in Turkey."
Turkish business association TÜSIAD stated that "democratic principles necessitate that we respect the will of our parliament". But it also urged that "the presidency ought to reflect societal consensus and democratic legitimacy and uphold the principles of our Republic".
Next Steps
The CHP opposition party has taken the challenge to the constitutional court in order to decide whether the first vote was valid or not. The court’s decision, expected this week, could trigger early general elections in Turkey.
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