Whatever might be the eventual outcome of the June 24 and probably the July 8 vote, Turkey has gone through already some precious experiences. These experiences might help the country in devising its future and achieve some real democratic progress.
Letters are pouring in from readers and friends regarding the upcoming elections. Some ask whether for some reason the elections might be cancelled or postponed by the ruling government and the president. Some ask how the seats in parliament will be arranged if some MPs are appointed as ministers. Could there be a snap election after or will the result of the elections be similar to that of the recent election at the Istanbul club Fenerbahçe, whose electorate opted for total change?
Turkey has serious problems regarding just and fair elections. “Equality” is a very important concept for democratic governance, as are “justice” and “respect for law.” Unfortunately, over the past 16 years state funds and resources have increasingly been channeled by one political group to fund its electoral campaigns, disguised as “inauguration” of certain projects that have mostly already been put into use in the past.
The guarantees issue is an important and complex dimension of the Cyprus problem. A resolution is almost impossible because of the contradicting security perception of the two peoples of the island.
Turkey is certainly going through some very interesting times. What will tomorrow bring? It is so unclear that some are suffering from serious anxiety.
What can a political party do to kill its own electoral prospects?
At a seaside café in Kyrenia, I recently spoke with Tansel Fikri, who served as a minister several times, a senior diplomat and a devoted fighter struggling for the dignity and partnership rights of his people and the sovereignty of Cyprus. He has long worked to make Cyprus’ voice heard overseas, particularly in London, where he served many years as Turkish Cyprus’ representative.
If it did not have a special status for the three monotheistic religions, Palestinians, Jews, and the Middle East, as well as the international community of nations, the transfer of the United States Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem ought to be a matter that should only concern the American and Israeli governments.
It was a big surprise for those following the issue on Cyprus last month when Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı declared out of the blue his acceptance of the “Guterres document” as a “strategic framework” for a Cyprus deal and asked the Greek Cypriot side to walk the same road.
