Özlem Akarsu Çelik
oakarsucelik@gazeteduvar.com.tr
ALL ARTICLES
Will the DEVA party be the remedy to Turkey's woes?
The launching of Ali Babacan's DEVA party was overshadowed by the news that of a first Coronavirus case in Turkey. Still, the party manifesto and Babacan's opening speech gave an indication to the party's strategy. Rather than snatching votes from the CHP, İYİ Party or the HDP, DEVA is likely to seek votes from the AKP and the MHP.
New era for the pro-Kurdish party in Turkey
For a long time, the HDP has been criticized for not being able to switch from its defensive position to an offensive one, and for not being able to generate effective policies. The change in the party assembly has instilled hope for those criticizing the HDP. If certain names who are liked and trusted at the grassroots are assigned to the party’s decision-making mechanism, the Central Executive Board, it means this enthusiasm will not end in disappointment.
The Gezi Park protests were a milestone for Erdoğan
As the Gezi protests were unraveling, Erdoğan's cabinet ministers urged him to allow the protesters, including the opposition leader Kılıçdaroğlu to march. Erdoğan gave in. But this was the moment when he turned against everyone, except for his family.
Debate over Gülenists' infiltration leaves Erdoğan isolated
Main opposition CHP's leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu claimed that the person who handed over the state to Fethullah Gülen and his followers is Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. This was a conscious and well-prepared statement. I believe Kılıçdaroğlu’s speech relieved several members of the AKP that have taken critical positions on the matter.
The politics behind Turkey's media watchdog
In what was a first in the history of Turkey's Radio and Television High Council (RTÜK), members of the council affiliated to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) decided to revoke the council membership of journalist Faruk Bildirici, who had been chosen by the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). This was no isolated incident.