Despite being a part of a politically-turbulent region, Turkey continues to stick to its democratic tradition.
Since the Charter of Alliance (Sened-i Ittifak) was signed between the sultan and prominent landowners in 1808, Turkey’s democratic journey has persevered despite occasional setbacks. As a young state, the Republic of Turkey has gradually been completing the formidable process of democratic institutionalization.
While I was writing this article, two topics that set Turkey’s political agenda were the closure case against the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and the HDP lawmaker Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu’s being stripped of deputyship by a court ruling for spreading terrorist propaganda.
In order to evaluate Turkey’s current political agenda, it is necessary to understand the historical process which has formed it.
When the Syrian civil war erupted, the U.S. administration expected that Turkey would wage a direct war against the Syrian regime. Even though they supported the legitimate oppositional groups in Syria, the Turkish government did not engage in direct combat with Bashar Assad’s regime.
After the killing of the U.S. ambassador to Libya, Washington drastically changed its Syrian policy. Renouncing its former policy of supporting a change of system in Syria, the U.S. began to part company with Turkey.
Even though Turkey’s responsibility in the Syrian civil war was heavy, especially in terms of the refugee crisis, the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government initiated a reconciliation process under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
While people in general were enthusiastically supporting the very peace process, oppositional political parties were critical of the ongoing process without sabotaging it.
Being resentful about Turkey’s active involvement in the Syrian civil war, both Iran and the Syrian regime convinced the PKK via former Iraqi President Jalal Talabani to abandon the peace process.
Putting its trust in the U.S. support, the PKK terminated the negotiations and launched a series of terrorist attacks to signal the end of the reconciliation process.
In the meantime, terrorist group Daesh increased its attacks against Turkey, while the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) attempted a coup d’etat that failed thanks to the civilian resistance of the people.
During this period, Turkey struggled against these three terrorist groups, while pursuing its active foreign policy in the Syrian civil war.
Turkey has been largely successful in its struggle against these terrorist groups. As the Turkish army dealt devastating blows to the PKK in Syria and Iraq in successive military operations, families protesting the abduction of their children by the PKK have created a strong anti-PKK sentiment around the country.
Today, the struggle of these Diyarbakır mothers to take their children back from the PKK continues with determination.
For the consolidation of Turkey’s democracy, it is necessary that the HDP should pursue a constructive politics, which is independent from the PKK.
The reforms begin
While the Turkish state resumes its struggle against terrorism, the government initiated a reform process.
With a comprehensive vision of democracy, the government launched the process of making a brand-new democratic constitution by showing their willingness to resolve Turkey’s problems with social reconciliation.
Even though the reconciliation process was terminated by the PKK, the AK Party government continues to conduct democratic reforms especially in the field of judiciary.
The closure case of the HDP is now a legal subject that shall be decided by the Constitutional Court.
In the near future, we shall witness whether the AK Party will maintain their reformist stance or pursue security policies due to pressing circumstances. Currently, the government fluctuates between the lines of reform and security.
FREDERICTON – A look at David Coon, leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick:
Born: Oct. 28, 1956.
Early years: Born in Toronto and raised in Montreal, he spent about three decades as an environmental advocate.
Education: A trained biologist, he graduated with a bachelor of science from McGill University in Montreal in 1978.
Family: He and his wife Janice Harvey have two daughters, Caroline and Laura.
Before politics: Worked as an environmental educator, organizer, activist and manager for 33 years, mainly with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick.
Politics: Joined the Green Party of Canada in May 2006 and was elected leader of the New Brunswick Green Party in September 2012. Won a seat in the legislature in 2014 — a first for the province’s Greens.
Quote: “It was despicable. He’s clearly decided to take the low road in this campaign, to adopt some Trump-lite fearmongering.” — David Coon on Sept. 12, 2024, reacting to Blaine Higgs’s claim that the federal government had decided to send 4,600 asylum seekers to New Brunswick.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
FREDERICTON – A look at Blaine Higgs, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick.
Born: March 1, 1954.
Early years: The son of a customs officer, he grew up in Forest City, N.B., near the Canada-U.S. border.
Education: Graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1977.
Family: Married his high-school sweetheart, Marcia, and settled in Saint John, N.B., where they had four daughters: Lindsey, Laura, Sarah and Rachel.
Before politics: Hired by Irving Oil a week after he graduated from university and was eventually promoted to director of distribution. Worked for 33 years at the company.
Politics: Elected to the legislature in 2010 and later served as finance minister under former Progressive Conservative Premier David Alward. Elected Tory leader in 2016 and has been premier since 2018.
Quote: “I’ve always felt parents should play the main role in raising children. No one is denying gender diversity is real. But we need to figure out how to manage it.” — Blaine Higgs in a year-end interview in 2023, explaining changes to school policies about gender identity.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
OTTAWA – The pressing issues of climate change and food security join more familiar ones like violent extremism and espionage on a new list of Canada’s intelligence priorities.
The federal government says publishing the list of priorities for the first time is an important step toward greater transparency.
The government revises the priorities every two years, based on recommendations from the national security adviser and the intelligence community.
Once the priorities are reviewed and approved by the federal cabinet, key ministers issue directives to federal agencies that produce intelligence.
Among the priorities are the security of global health, food, water and biodiversity, as well as the issues of climate change and global sustainability.
The new list also includes foreign interference and malign influence, cyberthreats, infrastructure security, Arctic sovereignty, border integrity and transnational organized crime.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
