It is going to be very important not only for the Turks but also for the U.S. especially during these times of uncertainty on a war against Iraq. If you need info you let me know. From the polls so far it looks like the Islamic party (AKP) is leading by far.
Let's hope the Islamists don't win. But IIRC the army will prevent fundamentalists from taking power? Alex
I hope the Turkish people maintain Turkey as a secular state. The NewsHour had a segment tonite that describes the current political climate and the potential damage a resurgent Islamist poltical party could cause in Turkey. This web site should have a text transcript of that segment by tomorow 10:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time http://www.pbs.org/newshour/newshour_index.html
Turkey can never be a fundamentalist islamic country because the majority of the people are very pro-western (at least the ones who have power and money). And even if that was not true the military would intervene. But to tell you the truth if I was in Turkey I would have two options. Either the Islamic party or CHP (Republican people's party). I think we need to give the islamic party a chance eventhough I am probably the most pro-western Turk you can probably find because we have seen what the other have done so far. I am really sick of these filthy, fat, *********************s who only think about themselves but not about the people. Turkish democratic system, pecially for the last 10 years or so,has been "People are here for me". And it is time to change that to "I am here for the people".
Turk, I think people hear "Islamic Party," and automatically translate that into "Islamic Extremist Party." I do not think this is an accurate inference, though correct me if I am wrong. Still, I have to agree somewhat with Alex that even a moderate Islamic Party probably ain't a good thing, just as I'm not crazy about Christian parties wielding power in other places. But would the military really stage a coup if the Islamists are elected? That would seem unlikely to me, more like Algeria, not Turkey.
It is a very old wisdom that the three bodies of power must be seperated and never combined: the executive power, the legislative power, and the church SO yes, in case you got a religious party ruling your government you have made the mistakes to allow those two bodies get together: legislative+church. Whether you can that extreme or you call that fundamentalist does not matter, but what is for sure that decisions will not be taken because they are the best ones, but because they fit best the rules of the ISLAM. I consider this to be dangerous. But I dont think they have much of a chance in turkey.
Re: Re: Anyone interested at the elections in Turkey? Good point. And this upcoming election will have a great impact on their right to participate or not. This is why it has not been put on the list of "upcoming new particiapting countries of the EU"
I don't think anything can help Turkey's push on EU, and the military would not stage a coup unless the islamists are too extreme and they use their power for religious reasons which is very unlikely for any party in Turkey.
Aren't the three bodies of power legislative, executive and judicial? And i hear politicians from all over the world, including president Bush, talking about God in speeches. Aren't they bringing religion and the church into politics too then? I hate it when any politician or powerfull organisation uses religion to their advantage and use it as a means of control and power...
Of course you are correct. I just thought I make this comment since in Islamic countries the religion is basically the judicative body. And as you might have seen today after the elections, Turkey has a new governing body: THE ISLAMIC CHURCH !
call it "religion" call it "church" call it "belief" call it "cultural fundament" fact is that the new ruling party is ....... well maybe you can say it in your own words. What is the new party?
> Can't imagine an AKP win would help Turkey's > push to be a part of tthe EU. How can they join while they are in their worst depression in the modern era?