But, the first ever (ex)Islamist was elected president today anyway.
The BBC reported the news this AM:
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, a "former" Islamist, has been elected president in a parliamentary vote. He is the first politician with an Islamist background to become head of state since the creation of the deeply secular Turkish Republic in 1923.This is, of course, the same "former" Islamist who last year called upon the EU states to extend their anti-defamation laws to ensure respect for Islam during the Danish cartoon crisis.
And, the official spokesman for the "former" Islamist Abdullah Gul demanded that Denmark apologize for the Mohammad cartoons last year.
The head of the Turkish Army has voiced concerns in the past over the likelihood of an (ex)Islamist president in Turkey:
"Our nation has been watching the behaviour... centres of evil who are trying to systematically erode the country's secular structure," Yasar Buyukanit said in a written message Monday, which made no mention of Tuesday's parliamentary vote.Hat Tip BG
The army will not "be deterred by such attacks," he said.
"The Turkish Armed Forces will not make any concessions ... in its duty of guarding the Turkish Republic, a secular and social state based on the rule of law," Buyukanit added.
When Gul stood for the presidency in April, the opposition blocked his election by boycotting parliament and the army, which has ousted four governments since 1960, warned the government that it was ready to defend the secular order.
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ReplyDeleteEx-Islamist set to become secular Turkey's president<
excerpt:
[The head of the Turkish army, which played a major role in blocking Gul's first run for the presidency, on Monday warned of "centres of evil" seeking to undermine the country's constitutional regime.
"Our nation has been watching the behaviour... centres of evil who are trying to systematically erode the country's secular structure," Yasar Buyukanit said in a written message Monday, which made no mention of Tuesday's parliamentary vote.
The army will not "be deterred by such attacks," he said.
"The Turkish Armed Forces will not make any concessions ... in its duty of guarding the Turkish Republic, a secular and social state based on the rule of law," Buyukanit added.
When Gul stood for the presidency in April, the opposition blocked his election by boycotting parliament and the army, which has ousted four governments since 1960, warned the government that it was ready to defend the secular order.
The crisis forced Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to call early general elections on July 22 from which the AKP emerged with a huge victory, hailing it as popular support to re-nominate Gul.
The AKP categorically denies ambitions to dismantle the country's secular system and Gul has repeatedly vowed his commitment to the separation of state and religion, which he said he would protect if elected.
He has also pledged to remain impartial and embrace all sectors of society when he takes office.
Opponents remain unconvinced, citing the AKP's unsuccessful attempts to criminalise adultery, restrict alcohol sales and its opposition to a ban on wearing headscarves in universities and public offices.
Turkey's president, elected for a single seven-year term, is a largely ceremonial figure, but has the authority to name senior bureaucrats and judges and to return legislation to parliament.
The president is also the commander-in-chief of the Turkish army.]
the mind boggles.. sure as heck gives a whole new meaning to the term 360 degree turn..
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There is no such thing as an "ex-Islamist", bg.
ReplyDeleteIf Turkey had any hopes of joining the EU it just lost them, which is just as well IMHO. But this does not bode well for the region as a whole, nor does it bode well for NATO.
Walking through Istanbul with my Turkish friend last year, a secular woman, I watched as she was shunned by women with scarves who turned their backs on her.
ReplyDeleteThe rise of the AK party is giving the more religious Turks the support and impetus to force the country into an Islamist state.
The election of Gul will only split the country further. He may be a moderate but he encourages and emboldens the more fundamental elements.
It could have the effect that the military will feel the need to step in again to change the government. Look at the harsh language in the warning the military issued just yesterday. That would be a disaster to their EU hopes and for the economy.
John G-
Brooklyn, USA