March 29, 2014

Election 2014

Mümtazer Türköne

Every election brings with it its own unique balances and stories. And with these upcoming elections, we have seen unfold a series of stories that would challenge the most dramatic of action films. In some ways, it's like being addicted to a TV series; everyone goes to bed consumed by curiosity about what the next day will bring. It's almost as though we're watching a script for a TV series. In the morning, it never seems to disappoint; the same excitement that you would get from an action series starts up again. These are days when domestic disputes are no doubt on the wane; after all, the fights dominating the political arena surpass anything happening at home. Much less personal gossip is making the rounds right now, too; after all, politics in Turkey gives you more than any other source in the way of gossip these days.

Erdoğan sues Today's Zaman editor-in-chief, four others

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has filed a complaint against Today's Zaman editor-in-chief Dr. Bülent Keneş, Zaman deputy editor-in-chief Mehmet Kamış, Today’s Zaman columnist Emre Uslu, Journalist Önder Aytaç and Former İstanbul Police Department Intelligence Bureau Chief Ali Fuat Yılmazer on Saturday, a day before the local elections.

Huge support from Gülen to reassigned staff

Sedat Ergin

One of the most striking aspects of the Fethullah Gülen interview published in daily Zaman last week was the strong support he gave to the police and prosecutors conducting the Dec. 17 and 25 corruption investigations of 2013. Gülen has harshly criticized the reorganizing of staff these officials were later subjected to.

Erdoğan gov't supports Iranian contest while obstructing Turkish Olympiad

While Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been attempting to obstruct the Turkish Language and Culture Olympiad, his government has been supporting a similar competition to be held in Tehran in August 2014.

Former AK Party minister praises Turkish Olympiads

Former interior minister and Justice and Development Party (AK Party) İstanbul deputy Abdulkadir Aksu said on Thursday that Turkish schools abroad serve as islands of peace, adding that he is looking forward to this year's Turkish Language Olympiads.