Turkey’s key political players

March 2009

Justice and Development Party (AKP)

Founded 2001 Party Leader: Recep Tayip Erdogan Incumbent majority party (since

2002) Moderate, socially conservative

(moral values), EU-oriented Originated as reformist strand

within (Islamist) Refah (Welfare) Party

On and off-again efforts by various party members to prevent sales of alcohol, restrict partial nudity in photographs, remove head scarf bans, incorporate prayer in schools, etc.

Initiated most substantial democratic reforms in the history of the republic

Won 46% vote in 2007 elections

Founded 2001 Party Leader: Recep Tayip Erdogan Incumbent majority party (since

2002) Moderate, socially conservative

(moral values), EU-oriented Originated as reformist strand

within (Islamist) Refah (Welfare) Party

On and off-again efforts by various party members to prevent sales of alcohol, restrict partial nudity in photographs, remove head scarf bans, incorporate prayer in schools, etc.

Initiated most substantial democratic reforms in the history of the republic

Won 46% vote in 2007 elections

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AKP on religion, in its own words

“Our party considers religion as one of the most important institutions of humanity, and secularism as a pre-requisite of democracy, and an assurance of the freedom of religion and conscience. It also rejects the interpretation and distortion of secularism as enmity against religion. �

Basically, secularism is a principle which allows people of all religions, and beliefs to comfortably practice their religions, to be able to express their religious convictions and live accordingly, but which also allows people without beliefs to organize their lives along these lines. From this point of view, secularism is a principle of freedom and social peace. �

Our Party refuses to take advantage of sacred religious values and ethnicity and to use them for political purposes. It considers the attitudes and practices which disturb pious people, and which discriminate them due to their religious lives and preferences, as anti-democratic and in contradiction to human rights and freedoms. On the other hand, it is also unacceptable to make use of religion for political, economic and other interests, or to put pressure on people who think and live differently by using religion.”

“Our party considers religion as one of the most important institutions of humanity, and secularism as a pre-requisite of democracy, and an assurance of the freedom of religion and conscience. It also rejects the interpretation and distortion of secularism as enmity against religion. �

Basically, secularism is a principle which allows people of all religions, and beliefs to comfortably practice their religions, to be able to express their religious convictions and live accordingly, but which also allows people without beliefs to organize their lives along these lines. From this point of view, secularism is a principle of freedom and social peace. �

Our Party refuses to take advantage of sacred religious values and ethnicity and to use them for political purposes. It considers the attitudes and practices which disturb pious people, and which discriminate them due to their religious lives and preferences, as anti-democratic and in contradiction to human rights and freedoms. On the other hand, it is also unacceptable to make use of religion for political, economic and other interests, or to put pressure on people who think and live differently by using religion.”

From the AKP party program, English-language web site: http://eng.akparti.org.tr/english/partyprogramme.html#2.1

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Republican People’s Party (CHP)

Oldest political party in Turkey (1923), although closed in 1980

Led by Deniz Baykal “center-left”/authoritarian,

secularist, Kemalist, Turkish nationalist

20% votes in 2007 elections

Close ties to conservative judiciary and military

Oldest political party in Turkey (1923), although closed in 1980

Led by Deniz Baykal “center-left”/authoritarian,

secularist, Kemalist, Turkish nationalist

20% votes in 2007 elections

Close ties to conservative judiciary and military

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Party web site and program (in Turkish): http://www.chp.org.tr/index.php?module=museum&page=show&entry_id=1659

Nationalist Action Party (MHP)

Founded in 1969 Led by Devlet Bahceli Turkish ultra-nationalist,

far-right, conservative party, mostly secular but new softening towards Islam Anti-Kurdish; historic ties

to fascist right Won 14 % national vote

in 2007 elections

Founded in 1969 Led by Devlet Bahceli Turkish ultra-nationalist,

far-right, conservative party, mostly secular but new softening towards Islam Anti-Kurdish; historic ties

to fascist right Won 14 % national vote

in 2007 elections

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MHP party web site: http://www.mhp.org.tr/index.php

YouTube video showing MHP symbols and slogans:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq6BZUa9vnc

Democratic Society Party (DTP)

Kurdish nationalist party (“pro-Kurdish”)

Chairman: Ahmet Turk Social democratic, center-left,

multi-culturalism, secular, prioritization of Kurdish issue and Kurdish rights Close association with PKK

Most recent in long-line of pro-Kurdish parties starting with 1990 HEP (then DEP, then HADEP, etc)

20 members of parliament, holds 56 municipalities

Social base: Urban Kurdish voters in the southeast and some western and southern cities

Kurdish nationalist party (“pro-Kurdish”)

Chairman: Ahmet Turk Social democratic, center-left,

multi-culturalism, secular, prioritization of Kurdish issue and Kurdish rights Close association with PKK

Most recent in long-line of pro-Kurdish parties starting with 1990 HEP (then DEP, then HADEP, etc)

20 members of parliament, holds 56 municipalities

Social base: Urban Kurdish voters in the southeast and some western and southern cities

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Other players: the Military and the Judiciary

Military: “Defenders of Kemalism” Coups: 1960, 1971,

1980, 1997 Secular, Turkish

national(ist), “guardian” of Kemalism

High degree of popular legitimacy (“most trusted”)

Mandatory conscription, 1 million-strong-men standing army

NATO member since 1952

Military: “Defenders of Kemalism” Coups: 1960, 1971,

1980, 1997 Secular, Turkish

national(ist), “guardian” of Kemalism

High degree of popular legitimacy (“most trusted”)

Mandatory conscription, 1 million-strong-men standing army

NATO member since 1952

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Turkish Prosecutors and the Constitutional Court

Constitutional Court: “examines the constitutionality, in respect of both form and

substance, of laws, decrees having the force of law, and the Rules of Procedure of the Turkish Grand National Assembly" (Article 148 of the Constitution)

Has closed many political parties At least 8 for promoting Kurdish rights (threatening indivisibility

of the country) At least 5 for violating laws re: secularism, territorial integrity,

etc Almost voted to close AKP in mid 2008.

Constitutional Court: “examines the constitutionality, in respect of both form and

substance, of laws, decrees having the force of law, and the Rules of Procedure of the Turkish Grand National Assembly" (Article 148 of the Constitution)

Has closed many political parties At least 8 for promoting Kurdish rights (threatening indivisibility

of the country) At least 5 for violating laws re: secularism, territorial integrity,

etc Almost voted to close AKP in mid 2008.