Turkey crisis - a 'test case' for EU membership?

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".