01 August 2002
The Turkish parliament voted last night to call an early general election at the beginning of November. Necessitated by the increasing physical and political debility of the prime minister, Bulent Ecevit, this decision is proof that clouds can still have silver linings. The election offers Turkey an opportunity to tackle much-needed reforms some 18 months earlier than would have been possible under the previous timetable. It also gives Turkey and its voters the chance to demonstrate their European credentials.
Not so long ago, a Turkish political crisis would have fuelled rumours of a military coup, if not an actual takeover. The rush of defections from Mr Ecevit's shaky coalition which precipitated the drama brought instead pressure for new elections and the formation of a new party, committed to Turkey's entry into the European Union.
In Ankara yesterday, the process continued, with the tabling – if not yet the passage – of measures that would answer many of the questions that still surround Turkey's claim to European credentials. Among the proposed new legislation is the replacement of the death penalty with life imprisonment, legalisation of Kurdish-language broadcasts and education, and reducing restrictions on freedom of assembly.
Mr Ecevit and his dwindling supporters have warned that elections could impede Turkey's shift towards Europe, bring victory for the pro-Islamic (but far from fundamentalist) Justice and Development Party and jeopardise a promised $16bn IMF loan package. The coming campaign gives Turkey's voters a chance to show that these fears are misplaced.
Surprise election results have precedents – Mr Ecevit's 1999 victory was itself unpredicted, so victory for the pro-Islamic party cannot be taken for granted, nor should the appeal of Ismail Cem's proposed new pro-Europe grouping be written off. In the meantime, it is up to the EU not to push Turkey away by seeming to dismiss the progress it has made. We should hail Turkey's command of the multinational peacekeeping force in Afghanistan as encouraging. We should reassure Turkish voters that if their country can meet the conditions for EU membership, it would be welcome.
http://argument.independent.co.uk/leading_articles/story.jsp?story=320297
