September 17, 2010
This is the title used by Istanbul-based “Zaman” to announce Mr. Erdogan’s victory in the constitutional referendum which took place on September 12. At first glance, the headline appears an exaggeration. In truth, the Turkish premier’s success does herald the demise of Kemalism and its legacy. The governing AKP party won the referendum by a… » read more
Posted by Florian Pantazi
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, Turkey |
August 2, 2010
What do Turkey, a non EU member, Spain and Romania have in common ? All three countries are currently affected by the re-emergence of powerful ethnic conflicts. Not long ago, the Catalunians took to the streets to ask for the independence of their province, after they had obtained a large measure of autonomy in 2006.… » read more
Posted by Florian Pantazi
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English, Enlargement & Neighbours, External Relations, Security |
February 16, 2010
Consider for a moment the following scenario. The leaders of Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Egypt and Sudan decide to create an African economic comunity. By putting aside their historical differences, they adopt the necessary institutional framework, prompting a boom in investment, exports and jobs. These developments attract resource-poor, cash-rich Britain. On the basis of its… » read more
Posted by Florian Pantazi
January 7, 2010
While Europeans partied this Christmas, on the Islamic side of the Bosphorus Turkish army personnel were busy undermining their country’s shaky democracy. According to The Economist, two Turkish Special Forces agents were arrested over a plot to assassinate deputy prime minister Bulet Arinc. For the first time in the country’s history, civilian authorities were able… » read more
Posted by Florian Pantazi
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, Turkey |
June 5, 2009
In the run-up to the European elections, German and French conservatives are pushing for a “privileged partnership” arrangement for Turkey, as opposed to full EU membership. From the West of the continent to the Balkans, the issue of Turkey’s accession is a hot one, given the 16 million Muslims now living within the Union’s borders.… » read more
Posted by Florian Pantazi
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, Turkey |
March 30, 2009
The Turkish local elections ended on Sunday after a tense, national-like campaign designed by the ruling party AKP’s leaders to win key cities in Kurdish-dominated zones. Although it has won 39 percent of the vote, this is 8 percent short of the projected win envisaged by premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Moreover, this is the first… » read more
Posted by Florian Pantazi
February 13, 2009
If France was known, until recently, as “the country of the permanent revolution”, Turkey could very well end up as “the country of permanent coups d’état”. The Turkish Constitutional Court has recently admitted a request to verify the constitutionality of a measure aproved by the Erdogan government, concerning the freedom of female students to wear… » read more
Posted by Florian Pantazi
