THE CORRIDOR – THE AKP’S AUTUMN PLAN

Hurriyet
Monday, June 29, 2009 13:41

The ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, has left its
mark on so many attempts. I say "attempts" because all remained as
just attempts. Let’s remember them together: The Kurdish, Alevi and
Constitution, as well as the headscarf, minorities, Armenian, European
Union, Cyprus, Halki (Heybeliada) Seminary opening attempts. Endless
numbers of statements were issued, polemics occurred, fierce exchange
of words took place as talks and initiatives were made behind closed
doors. Were any put into action? I may comfortably say "no." But of
course, the Alevi workshop, close ties with Armenia, and constitutional
changes in the headscarf case may be given as examples of actions. But
there is no single attempt that has been materialized.

Attempts that have not been actualized create discomfort not only
among the party grassroots but also among parliamentary deputies. And
that is being felt in the party administration as well. In order to
eliminate the feeling, the administration is preparing for a quite
serious move in autumn. And the concern that the AKP may be closed
by relating the party with the Deniz Feneri corruption case has a
share in it. For this reason, an "Autumn Plan" is being considered
in the AKP. It will be revealed in Parliament, be brought to life
afterwards and a short- and middle-term timeline will be set. The
timeline, in a way, will give body to an AKP road map by the next
general elections. How will it be shaped?

The constitutional change is the most important part of the short-term
plan. And the most critical subtitle is "making political party
closures more difficult." With this, the AKP wants to remove the
risk of a possible closure case and to make amendments in political
parties and elections laws in a small change package. A 100 Turkey
Representative issue may be actualized. The AKP having 338 seats
in Parliament needs at least 360 votes to make necessary changes in
the Constitution. For amendments having 330 to 360 votes a popular
vote is the case. The AKP this time is even discussing going for a
referendum. And the above attempts that were not materialized, they
all are a part of the Autumn Plan.

In the autumn of 2009, the AKP is preparing for a critical
commencement. But one has the urge to ask, "Why is it the autumn of
2009?" For the plans make rumors of an "early election in 2010" more
possible. Is the AKP planning to kill three birds with one stone? To
save itself, to make democratic openings and to corner the opposition
by a rush election. We’ll see.

– The DTP might turn ‘hawkish’

The "hawks" and "doves" fight in the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society
Party, or DTP, has flared up in the Central Executive Committee meeting
this week. The hard-liner Emine Ayna and moderate Ahmet Turk differed
about withdrawing an appointment request from Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdoðan. "Let’s not withdraw it" insisted Turk as Ayna and her
friends drag afoot for canceling the appointment request. The hawkish
wing won and the request was withdrawn. That shows if the government
cannot take any solid stance in the solution of the Kurdish issue, the
DTP may becp,e toughened under the influence of the hawkish wing. And
Turk’s power may not be enough to prevent this hard-liner stance.

– Human Rights Emergency Service!

Turkey’s human rights grade has always been low. In order to make a
change, Parliamentary Human Rights Commission President Zafer Uskul has
reached a decision. The commission will continue to work even after
Parliament is adjourned for summer. "We’ll continue work during the
holiday. Petitions and applications are still coming in. In the human
rights area, situations that may require our immediate interference
may occur. For this reason, we’ll work in summer." The commission
members are joking with Uskul, "Human Rights Emergency Services are
on duty around the clock."