TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

C O N T E N T S

No. 141/13                                                                                         27-29/07/2013

1. CTP-BG wins early “parliamentary elections”; coalition “government” should be established; Kucuk could not be “elected” 

2. Reactions by Turkish Cypriot political party leaders to the “election” result 

3. How the Turkish Cypriot covers the results of the early “elections”

4. Ertug: if the Islamic and Turkic countries recognize “TRNC”, we will not

refuse it  

5. Eroglu said that the cooperation with Azerbaijan is important

6. The oil spill reached the Palm Beach in occupied Famagusta

7. More on the wiretapping scandal; Talat reportedly recorded the conversation in his office

8. PKK threatens to break cease-fire if no government action takes place by October 15

9. Suicide attack on Turkish mission in Somalia said possible Al-Qa'ida 'Message' to Turkey

10. Article in Turkish daily suggests that Turkey has legal justification to intervene in Syria

11. Police seal off Gezi Park ahead of alternative iftar event

12. AKP’s survey: the aim of Gezi was to create chaos

1. CTP-BG wins early “parliamentary elections”; coalition “government” should be established; Kucuk could not be “elected”  

Under the title “A coalition period”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (29.07.13) reports that the results of the early “elections” held yesterday were a surprise and that a “coalition period” is starting as no party could establish a “government” alone. The Republican Turkish Party- United Forces (CTP-BG) won the “elections” coming first by far, while the National Unity Party (UBP) suffered a great defeat.

According to the paper, the information that the chairman of the UBP, Irsen Kucuk could not be “elected” as “MP” marked the “elections”. This information was coming until 03.30 a.m., when Kibris was about to be printed.

According to the “official” but not final results announced by the “high election council” last night, the turnout in the “elections” was 69.61%, as 120.287 persons out of the 172.803 registered “voters” went to the ballot. Four parties could enter into the “assembly”. The United Cyprus Party – Communal Existence Forces (BKP-TVG) could not take the threshold of 5% as it received only 3.21%.

The general results of the “elections” were the following:

Party	Percentage %	“MPs”
CTP-BG	38.37	21
UBP	27.30	14
Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG)	23.11	12
Social Democracy Party (TDP)	7.43	3
BKP-TVG	3.21	-
Independent candidates	0.56	-

Nicosia	Number of ballots	Registered “voters”	Voted	Turnout %	Percentage received by the parties	Distribution of “seats”
	207	54.487	36.322	66.66
CTP-BG					41.34	7
UBP					24.41	4
DP-UG					21.72	4
TDP					7.00	1
BKP-TVG					4.39	-

           

Famagusta	Number of ballots	Registered “voters”	Voted	Turnout %	Percentage received by the parties	Distribution of “seats”
	172	45. 184	31.267	69.20
CTP-BG					35.97	5
UBP					27.66	4
DP-UG					26.10	3
TDP					7.72	1
BKP-TVG					2.31	-

Keryneia	Number of ballots	Registered “voters”	Voted	Turnout %	Percentage received by the parties	Distribution of “seats”
	132	33. 703	22.621	67.12
CTP-BG					37.33	4
UBP					31.17	3
DP-UG					20.37	2
TDP					8.28	1
BKP-TVG					2.69	-

Morfou	Number of ballots	Registered “voters”	Voted	Turnout %	Percentage received by the parties	Distribution of “seats”
	83	21. 130	16.300	77.14
CTP-BG					37.61	3
UBP					32.82	2
DP-UG					20.00	1
TDP					6.80	-
BKP-TVG					2.76	-

Trikomo	Number of ballots	Registered “voters”	Voted	Turnout %	Percentage received by the parties	Distribution of “seats”
	76	18. 299	13.777	75.29
CTP-BG					32.17	2
UBP					28.91	2
DP-UG					30.35	1
TDP					7.50	-
BKP-TVG					1.07	-

In spite of the fact that the final announcement of the names of the newly “elected MPs” is expected today, Kibris writes except for Irsen Kucuk, the following important names of the UBP could not be “elected”: UBP’s general secretary Necdet Numan, the “speaker” of the “assembly”, Hasan Bozer, UBP’s chairman in occupied Morfou, Ahmet Caluda, former “ministers” Ali Cetin Amcaoglu, Serife Unverdi, Mutlu Atasayan and Ertugrul Hasipoglu as well as former “MPs” Turgay Avci, Ali Riza Usluer, Mustafa Gokmen and Mehmet Tancer.

Moreover, Turgay Tokel, Ilkay Kamil and Afet Ozcafer could not be “elected” with the DP-UG [Translator’s note: they were participating in the group of the eight “MPs” of the UBP who had joined DP-UG just before the “elections”].

Αlso, the former “deputy speaker” of the “assembly”, Mustafa Yektaoglu and the former “speaker” of the “body” Fatma Ekenoglu could not be “elected’ with the CTP-BG, while Mustafa Emiroglulari, former “MP” with TDP could not be “re-elected”.

Comparing the results of the 2013 “elections” with the results of the “parliamentary elections” held in 2009, Kibris reports that the CTP-BG increased its percentages by 9.11% and its “MPs” by 6, as it had received 29.26% in 2009 when it had “elected” 15 “MPs”. The DP-UG, which had received 10.65% in 2009 and had “elected” five “MPs”, increased its percentages by 12.46% and “elected 12 “MPs” in 2013, as a result of the fact that eight “MPs” of the UBP have joined the DP. UBP, on the other hand, suffered a serious loss of 16.74% as it has fallen from 44.04% in 2009 to 27.30% in 2013 and the number of its “MPs” decreased from 26 to 14.   

(I/Ts.)

2. Reactions by Turkish Cypriot political party leaders to the “election” result  

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (29.07.13) reports that Ozkan Yorgancioglu, chairman of the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG), has stated that the people showed that they did not approve of the policies implemented by the former National Unity Party (UBP) “government” and that they adopted the CTP-BG’s “election program” under the name of “The book of reason”. Speaking after the results of the “elections” had become evident to a great extent, Yorgancioglu said that the people adopted the views of his party and gave to them the duty of establishing a “government”. He noted that they would evaluate this issue within the forthcoming days. He said he did not agree with those who say that the turnout in the “elections” was low and added that in many countries of the world the turnout is at the same level or even lower. 

Moreover, the paper notes that the UBP was disappointed when the results of the “elections” were announced. UBP chairman, Irsen Kucuk, who has been waiting for the results at the headquarters of the party together with other UBP officials, made no statements on the issue. The officials only expressed their sorrow and noted that “people” pointed out that they want a coalition, adding that this coalition could be established between UBP and the Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG), contrary to what is expected.

Furthermore, Kibris reports that Serdar Denktas, chairman of the DP-UG, has stated that the CTP has come first, but the winner of the “elections” is DP-UG. Pointing out that they increased their votes by 125%, Denktas argued that they achieved a “miracle”. He noted that when the mixed votes are counted, the number of the “MPs” of his party is expected to increase and added that as of today, the party organs will discuss alternatives of various models for establishing a “government” as well as the percentages of the leftwing and the rightwing parties. He said that they will give a press conference tomorrow or on Wednesday. 

Meanwhile, Mehmet Cakici, leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), has said that, with the 7.4% which they received yesterday, they achieved a small increase in their percentages comparing to 2009, when they had received 6.8%. He pointed out that this small increase did not satisfy him and added that this number was below their expectations. Noting that they did not deserve this result, Cakici recalled that he had stated that he would resign even in case the percentages of the party remained the same. He said that he is still behind this statement and added that they will discuss the issue at the organs of the party.

Finally, evaluating the results of the 2013 “elections”, Izzet Izcan, chairman of the United Cyprus Party – Communal Existence Forces (BKP-TVG), said BKP almost doubled its percentages comparing to the 2009 “elections” and adding that their duty is to continue their struggle. Izcan said that the “election” system was wrong and pointed out that the threshold of 5% prevents BKP from being represented at the “assembly”, in spite of the fact that it doubled its percentages reaching almost 4%.

(I/Ts.)      

3. How the Turkish Cypriot covers the results of the early “elections”

The results of the early “parliamentary elections” are the main issue in the Turkish Cypriot newspapers today (29.07.13). The press covers the issue under the following titles:

Vatan: “CTP is the first party”. The paper writes that more than half of the members of the regime’s “assembly” changed and notes that the “enigma” of “what kind of a government” will be established with these results is on the agenda once more.

Afrika: “The UBP collapsed”. The paper writes that the UBP under Irsen Kucuk suffered the biggest defeat in its history. It says that it received the information that Kucuk could not even be “elected” in the “assembly”, but this information could not be verified until 02.00 a.m. when the paper would be printed.

Yeni Duzen: “The duty to CTP, the anger to UBP”

Kibrisli: “No one celebrated”

Volkan: “DP-UG and UBP are 50.26%”. The paper argues that these were the “elections” with the lowest turnout in occupied Cyprus and notes that the will of the “people”, which was reflected to the ballot, is to give to the rightwing parties more than 50%. 

Gunes: “Turnout was low”

Ortam: “Coalition”

(I/Ts.)   

4. Ertug: if the Islamic and Turkic countries recognize “TRNC”, we will not refuse it   

Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (29.07.13) reports that Osman Ertug, spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu, has said that the “TRNC”, breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, expected more support from the Islamic countries and the Turkic republics. In statements to Anatolia news agency, Ertug noted that if these countries recognized the “TRNC”, “we will not refuse it” and added that this would be a very important step.

Ertug reiterated the Turkish view that a road map should be drawn in the Cyprus talks and added that the negotiations should resume from the point they were left, a time table should be determined, a give and take process should be held and after the process is advanced a five-party conference should be held with the participation of the tree guarantor powers.

Ertug said that during the recent meetings they held in Brussels, they often heard that “isolations are a shame for humanity” and claimed that if the EU wants to “allegedly”  encourage the Greek Cypriots, it should fulfill the promises it had given to the Turkish Cypriots in 2004 and lift the so-called isolations. Noting that they are saying to the EU to exert pressure on the Greek Cypriots, he argued: “After they accepted them as members, the pressures will not have results. Instead of this, we give messages to the EU on how it could advance its relations with us”.

Ertug claimed that if the Greek Cypriot side does not want to share the sovereignty on the island and to reach a solution, then “it says to us ‘come and let us discuss the two-state solution’”. 

Referring to the Islamic countries and the Turkic world, Ertug alleged; “We will not refuse it if they recognize us, it would be a very important step. Because we are carrying out negotiations for finding a comprehensive solution, we have not launched an intensive campaign on the issue [of recognition]. We know that launching a campaign in this direction will be exploited by the other side, but this situation cannot continue. Recognition is our right. Every country wants to be recognized”.  

(I/Ts.)

5. Eroglu said that the cooperation with Azerbaijan is important

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (28.07.13) reported that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu met with a delegation of “Azerbaijan Cyprus friendship society”, headed by Orhan Hasanoglu.

During the meeting, Eroglu said that Nagorno Karabakh is like the Cyprus problem, which has not been solved yet, adding that their cooperation is important to surpass these kind of problems.

Hasanoglu, for his part, said that the “Azerbaijan Cyprus friendship society” does whatever it can in order to promote the breakaway regime “TRNC” in the fields of education, tourism and others.

6. The oil spill reached the Palm Beach in occupied Famagusta

According to Turkish Cypriot Kibris (28.07.13), the self-styled minister of tourism, environment and culture Mehmet Harmanci said, that the small amounts of oil residue which were spotted off the Palm Beach coast of occupied Famagusta may be oil waste of the ships, which pass from the area.  He stressed that tight measures have been taken in order to prevent the oil spill from spreading.

However, the paper reported that citizens spotted oil and tar in the beach. The paper also published photos with tar on the sole of a man.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (28.07.13), in its front page, under the title “Like a nightmare!” reported that the inhabitants of the occupied village Gastria have been living a nightmare for years now. Apart from the latest destruction caused by the oil spill, they have to breathe also the poison coming out from the chimneys of AKSA electrical power station. For this reason, almost all the inhabitants suffer from health problems like terrible cough, nausea, exhaustion and headaches. In addition to this, for 10 days now, the village has not have water.

7. More on the wiretapping scandal; Talat reportedly recorded the conversation in his office

Under the title “Shocking allegations”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (27.09.13), sites information regarding the wiretapping of the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat’s office in 2009 and writes that it was Talat who reportedly recorded the conversation in his office.

The paper writes that as Rauf Denktas used to do, Talat used to record the conversations taking place in his office. Therefore, the conversation that surfaced and was made public by Turkish Cypriot media, was a product of a tape stolen from Talat’s office. 

The tape included a conversation between Talat, his then spokesman, Hasan Ercakica and the former “undersecretary” at the so-called ministry of finance, Zeren Mungan.

8. PKK threatens to break cease-fire if no government action takes place by October 15

Istanbul T24 radio station (26.07.13) broadcast that Sabri Ok, one of the top-level leaders of the PKK has announced that [imprisoned PKK leader] Abdullah Ocalan has said that “if the (Turkish) government does not take steps by 15 October, the cease-fire will be broken.”

Sabri Ok, one of the top-level leaders of the KCK [Assembly of Communities of Kurdistan], has stated that while the solution process currently ought to be in its second phase, they have not seen any palpable action in this direction.  Regarding the PKK members withdrawing from Turkey, Ok said the following:  “The latest group, after marching for 56 days, came from Dersim [Tunceli] a few days ago.  Every battalion, until arriving in these mountains, has been followed continually by unmanned aerial vehicles.”  Ok claimed that they have not seen any palpable action such as ought to pertain to the second phase.

Sabri Ok, in an interview broadcast on the English-language service of Deutsche Welle, in which he also said that Ankara “has increased its military presence in the Kurdish territories, and is continuing the construction of dams,” responded to the question “how long is the KCK prepared to wait?” by saying:  “There is a limit to our patience, and there is little time left.  We have taken every step that was agreed to.  But if the process does not proceed to its end, this will not derive from us.”

Noting that “our leader has said that if Ankara does not take steps by 15 October, the cease-fire will be broken,” Ok explained why time is short, saying:  “Because our leader’s health is fragile, and he has on numerous occasions asked for an independent medical commission to visit him.”  He added that they are “very sensitive on this issue.”

Answering the question of “how many fighters have withdrawn to date?”, Ok said:  “We do not look at the issue as being one of numbers.”  Stating that they had made a decision and have been implementing this decision, he said:  “The latest group, after marching for 56 days, came from Dersim a few days ago.  Every battalion, until arriving in these mountains, has been followed continually by unmanned aerial vehicles.”  When Ok was reminded of the allegations that PKK members withdrawing from Turkey have crossed into Syria, he said:  “All the fighters are in the Qandil Mountains.”

When it was pointed out that the Kurds in Syria “are neither included in the opposition nor on the side of the regime” and he was asked whether or not this “third way is really realistic,” he said:  “We see this third line not as being utopian, but rather as a reality.  And there are visible results of this line of struggle.” 

In addition, Ankara Anatolia news agency (26.07.13) reports that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave assurances that his government will not backtrack in what is publicly known as "solution process," efforts to solve the country's more than three-decade old Kurdish issue that has claimed over 40,000 lives.

 "We will not be the party that abandons or sabotages the solution process. Whoever fails the solution process, sabotages it or blocks it will take a huge responsibility," Erdogan told in a rally at the southeastern province of Sirnak, where he inaugurated the province's first airport.

Erdogan said "We will hopefully live together as brothers for ever in the region where we have been living as brothers for a thousand year, by solving the problems, putting all sad events behind, we will build our joint future all together."

9. Suicide attack on Turkish mission in Somalia said possible Al-Qa'ida 'Message' to Turkey

Ankara Anatolia news agency (27.07.13) reported that one Turkish security guard was killed and three others were injured on Saturday while two suicide bombers were killed as another suicide bomber blew himself up in front of staff building of Turkey's embassy in Somali capital Mogadishu.

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Levent Gumrukcu confirmed the news to AA.  Gumrukcu said that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu called the Turkish envoy to Somalia Kani Torun after the attack. Davutoglu also informed Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan about the incident, Gumrukcu added.

Reporting on the issue, Turkish daily Sunday's Zaman newspaper (28.07.13) writes that the bombing attack is believed by experts, to be a response to Turkey as Ankara breaks the ice with Syria's Democratic Union Party (PYD), which has been in fierce fights with al-Qaeda-linked radical groups over control of towns in northern Syria.

While armed fighting has escalated between the PYD, an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), and al-Qaeda-linked radical groups over control of towns in northern Syria, Saleh Muslim, the leader of the PYD, paid a surprise visit to Turkey at the end of last week, saying that he had very positive talks with officials from Turkey, which until some time ago, tended to see the PYD as a terrorist organization.

"The PYD and al-Qaeda are fighting against each other in Syria. Attacking the Turkish embassy may be a message by al-Qaeda to Turkey over its relations with the PYD. Positive talks between the Kurdish group and Ankara have indeed made al-Qaeda uncomfortable," Mehmet Sahin, who teaches international relations at Gazi University in Ankara, told Today's Zaman.

Turkey, which has been a staunch supporter of the Syrian opposition fighting to topple Assad, is accused of providing logistical support to the al-Qaeda-linked groups -- the al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) -- in their battle against Kurds.

However, Ankara has made its position clear, saying it will not take any part in the ongoing fighting between Kurdish groups and al-Qaeda-linked radical groups for control of the northern towns bordering Turkey.

Gokhan Bacik, an academic teaching international relations at Gaziantep's Zirve University, stated that it was not totally out of the question to describe the attack as a message about Turkey-PYD ties, adding however that it was still early to make such comments. "Al-Qaeda has committed the bloodiest attacks of its history in Turkey in the past," said Bacik.

Al-Shabaab, which said earlier this month that it would increase attacks during the Ramadan fasting period, had previously condemned Turkey's involvement in Somalia, as Turkey is among the few countries that reopened their embassies in war-ravaged Mogadishu.

However, a senior Turkish diplomat, who spoke to Today's Zaman on the condition of anonymity, denied the link between the PYD visit and the embassy attack, saying Turkey was harmed because of its humanitarian position in Somalia.

10. Article in Turkish daily suggests that Turkey has legal justification to intervene in Syria

Turkish daily Today’s Zaman newspaper (29.07.13) publishes the following article by Sinem Gendiz under the title “Turkey has legal justification to intervene in Syria”:

“Because the instability on the Turkish-Syrian border poses a security threat for Turkey, Ankara has the legal right to militarily intervene in war-torn Syria based on a mandate that allows the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) to carry out military operations beyond the country's borders. 

The security situation deteriorated in Turkish border towns after Ceylanpınar, a town on the Turkish-Syrian border in Turkey's Şanlıurfa province, was hit by three mortar shells fired from the Syrian side on Wednesday.

Wednesday's incident is the latest in a series involving stray bullets and shells hitting Turkish territory in the past few weeks after the Democratic Union Party (PYD), a political offshoot of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), forces captured Tal Abyad, a Syrian town very close to Akçakale, and Ras al-Ain, another town just a few hundred meters from Ceylanpınar, last week.

Following days of fierce clashes between Kurdish militants and several radical groups fighting to oust embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Ras al-Ain was largely left under the control of the PYD and Kurdish militants are expected to declare an autonomous region in northern Syria in the coming days -- a situation that has alarmed Turkish opposition parties.

As the PYD intensifies its presence in the northern part of the war-torn country, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) called on the government to use the mandate that was passed by Parliament last October after mortar shells from Syria killed five civilians in a border town.

According to the mandate, Turkey has the right to carry out military operations in foreign countries. Although the government promises that it does not have any intention to declare war on Syria, the parliamentary measure authorizing the government for military operations beyond Turkey's borders opens the way for military measures in addition to retaliatory strikes.

 […]

In recent years, Turkey passed several resolutions in Parliament to be able to carry out incursions into northern Iraq, to stage air strikes against PKK terrorists based in northern Iraqi territory. Turkish army units in countries such as Afghanistan, Somalia and Lebanon were also deployed after a relevant resolution was obtained from Parliament.

Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of the MHP, has also argued that the capture of the Syrian border town Ras al-Ain by the military wing of the PYD presents a clear risk of separatism to Turkey and urged the government to declare a military intervention should PYD rule become official.

“Without a doubt, the events taking place in the north of Syria are a great risk for Turkey. I warn the government from here: The PKK declaring autonomy right beside our borders and gaining a position is a new move against Turkey's indivisible unity,” Bahçeli said.

[…] Meanwhile, Saleh Muslim, the leader of the PYD, made a surprise two-day visit to Turkey on Thursday for talks over escalating clashes near the Turkish-Syrian border.

While the opposition has called on the government to launch a war against Syria, experts believe that it would be Turkey's loss to go to war with Syria. Although Sinan Ülgen, chairman of the İstanbul-based Center for Economic and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM), underlines that Turkey has the legal right to send armed forces to Syria based on the mandate, he maintains that such a move would not be to Ankara's benefit. “The issue is not sending troops, but rather how to withdraw them after sending them. Turkey should not repeat the mistake the US made in Iraq,” said Ülgen, adding: “In addition, sending troops to Syria would not solve the crisis, there in the short run. On the contrary, in the long run it would create trouble for Turkey.”

Agreeing with Ülgen, Yaşar Yakış, a former Turkish foreign minister and president of the Ankara-based Center for Strategic Communication (STRATİM), warns that Ankara will take a wrong step if it sends troops to Syria. “The presence of the PYD in northern Syria doesn't give Turkey the right to intervene in Syria. The PYD is Syria's internal issue. Such an intervention would lack legitimacy,” said Yakış in remarks to Sunday's Zaman.

According to experts, it was not something new that the once close neighbors, Turkey and Syria, have come to the brink of war.

Before 1998, the two countries were on the brink of war when Turkey threatened military action if Syria continued to shelter Abdullah Öcalan, leader of the terrorist PKK, in Damascus, his longtime safe haven. The signing of the Adana agreement in 1998 marked a turning point in relations between the two countries.

But the Syrian regime -- which allowed Öcalan to take shelter and direct the terrorist organization from within its borders for several years until 1998, the year when Syria had to deport Öcalan because of pressure from Turkey -- seems inclined to play the PKK card against Turkey being silent to the presence of the PYD in northern Syria, in which case Turkey reserves the right to take necessary measures for self-defense, including armed interference into Syrian territory to contain the threat.

The agreement squarely puts all the responsibility on the Syrian regime in this matter. For example, Article 1 of the agreement states that Syria will not permit any activity on its territory aimed at jeopardizing the “security and stability of Turkey.” The two states also inked a significant agreement on cooperation against terrorism in 2010.

In brief, the mandate, the Adana agreement and the 2010 deal pave the legal path for Ankara to carry out a military intervention in Syria.”

11. Police seal off Gezi Park ahead of alternative iftar event

Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (29.07.13) reports that Police forces once again blocked entry to Istanbul's Gezi Park on July 28, hours before an alternative iftar (Tr. Note: "breakfast" refers to the evening meal when Muslims break their fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan) event planned by the Anti-Capitalist Muslims, a small religious group that has supported the Gezi protests from the beginning.

Peace and Democracy Party's (BDP) Istanbul deputies Sabahat Tuncel and Sırrı Süreyya Önder had also been expected to attend the event, part of the "traveling" iftar meals that are being organized in a different public space every day.

After evacuating the park, police started to cordon off Taksim Square in an attempt to restrict a group that had gathered at the entry of the park. At least three people have been detained, while some of the security officers sprayed tear gas at individuals who refused to leave the square, daily Hürriyet reported.

12. AKP’s survey: the aim of Gezi was to create chaos

The ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) would have 51.9% of votes, if elections were held today, according to Pollmark’s recent survey, which was carried out on behalf of AKP, Turkish daily Sabah (29.07.13) reports.

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) would get 23.5% of votes, while the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) would receive 13.6% votes if elections were held today, according to Pollmark’s survey, conducted between July 9 and 18 with 5.135 respondents across the country with the method of face-to-face interview. While, the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) would come fourth with 7.4% of votes

The poll was conducted to determine the Turkish public's attitudes on certain domestic issues, as the Gezi Park protests and the ongoing settlement process that have topped the nation's agenda over the last few months.

In response to question on whether the aim of the protestors was to push the government in the wall on the Gezi Park incidents by creating a chaos, 51.2% said that they support it, while 33.3% said the protesters used their democratic rights, and the remaining of 12.8% did not express an opinion.

The participants were also asked to evaluate the settlement process started by the AKP government. On this question, 59.5% said they support the process, 29.3% said they are against it and the remaining 11.2% did not express an opinion.

 TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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