News

Deputy PM, President Gül hold ‘positive’ meeting over Gezi protests

Jun 04 2013
Turkey
Source: 
Hurriyet Daily News

Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç told reporters today that he held a positive meeting and received instructions from President Abdullah Gül during a meeting to address the Gezi Park protests sweeping Turkey.

“We had a positive meeting. We received his instructions and shared opinions,” said Arınç.
Arınç said he met the president in his capacity as deputy prime minister amid Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Morocco. 

Who will take what seat at the CHP

Jun 03 2013
Turkey
Source: 
Hurriyet Daily News

The inner conflicts are ongoing within the Republican People’s Party (CHP). The discussions regarding who would take which seat have already begun although there is still about a year until the first election. With the local elections that will be held in March, 2014, the CHP will determine its candidates for the presidential elections in August. There are thousands of candidates for hundreds of seats including metropolitan, provincial, and district municipalities. 

Who will take what seat at the CHP

Jun 03 2013
Turkey
Source: 
Hurriyet Daily News

The inner conflicts are ongoing within the Republican People’s Party (CHP). The discussions regarding who would take which seat have already begun although there is still about a year until the first election. With the local elections that will be held in March, 2014, the CHP will determine its candidates for the presidential elections in August. There are thousands of candidates for hundreds of seats including metropolitan, provincial, and district municipalities. 

Main opposition wants ballot hurdle brought down to 3 percent

May 28 2013
Turkey
Source: 
Hurriyet Daily News

The CHP is set to launch a major debate at Parliament to dramatically cut the 10 percent threshold at general elections, which would pave the way for smaller political parties

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has made a bid to open a debate in the Parliament with the aim of reducing the election threshold to 3 percent, from the current 10 percent, withCHP Deputy Chair Sezgin Tanrıkulu deeming the proposal a test for democracy. 

Turkish Parliament adopts alcohol restrictions, bans sale between 10 pm and 6 am

May 24 2013
Turkey
Source: 
Hurriyet Daily News

Parliament’s General Assembly has adopted a highly controversial alcohol bill proposed by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), tightening restrictions on the sale and advertising of alcoholic beverages, despite strong objections against the bill on the grounds of personal freedom and respect for lifestyle choices.

Opposition tactics for new charter

May 20 2013
Turkey
Source: 
Hurriyet Daily News

The Constitution Conciliation Commission will carry on its work until July 1. Even though there is no precise data for what will happen after that, there are some tactical expectations. The commission could keep working for a certain period or it could disperse and resort to new ways as the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) abandons the table. When considered in relation to the peace process, a package with some slight changes could possibly be brought to the Parliament if a completely new Constitution is not written.

Turkish PM Erdoğan: We may have 3 polls in 2014

May 19 2013
Turkey
Source: 
Hurriyet Daily News

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan once more signaled readiness to bring his party’s own draft Constitution to a people’s vote in absence of a consensus in Turkey’s much-anticipated parliamentary work to write a new Constitution, as he also eagerly insisted on considering a presidential system.

“Openly, I’m also losing my hope. We want the presidential system to be opened to debate,” Erdoğan was quoted as saying, while speaking with a group of journalists during an official visit to Washington.

Will AKP revise its presidential system?

May 13 2013
Turkey
Source: 
Hurriyet Daily News

The Constitution Conciliation Commission has extended its working period until July 1 with the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) approval, which initially was persistently opposing this. 

Extending the commission’s work for two months is related to the peace process, but it is also a fact that this is based on some other calculations and concerns. The ruling party wants to see the concrete results of the withdrawal until mid-summer and also, it wants to hold the opportunity to change the game plan in the new Constitution process according to developments. 

PKK begins withdrawing from Turkey as part of settlement process

May 08 2013
Turkey
Source: 
Todays Zaman
An agreed pullout of militants of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) from predominantly Kurdish southeastern Turkey has reportedly started.
 

Selahattin Demirtaş, leader of pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), told Agence France-Presse on Wednesday that the militants had "started moving." He earlier said the full withdrawal of forces could take three to four months.

Turkish PM negotiating with PKK leader for presidential system: CHP leader

May 05 2013
Turkey
Source: 
Hurriyet Daily News

The ongoing Kurdish peace process’ primary aim is to implement the presidential system in Turkey, main opposition Republican People’s Party's (CHP) leader said May 5 during a meeting in Antalya. 

Despite Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s claims to the contrary, the government is engaged in such political negotiations during talks with the jailed leader of the outlawedKurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK),Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said.

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