April 6, 2014

Gülen's lawyer rejects ‘letter of alliance' to PKK

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, whose ideas inspired the faith based Hizmet movement, denied claims made by the Sabah daily claiming that Gülen sent a letter of alliance to the PKK

Gov't pressure to shut down Turkish schools sparks outcry

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government's attempts to shut down Turkish schools abroad that are affiliated with the Hizmet movement, which is inspired by the teachings of Islamic cleric Fethullah Gülen, have sparked an outcry among opposition figures and diplomats, who criticize the government for “abusing education because of personal hostility.”

Erdoğan's harsh rhetoric and groundless threats have no legal basis

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan cannot legally carry out his threat -- “We will pursue them deep into their dens,” repeated once again during his post-election balcony speech in reference to the faith-based Hizmet movement, which Erdoğan repeatedly targets with defamatory words -- as there is no concrete evidence to back up his allegations.

Erdoğan resorts to varied strategies to win local elections

Cumali Önal

Turkey has left behind one of the most noteworthy elections in its history. The Recep Tayyip Erdoğan-led Justice and Development Party (AK Party) won a significant victory in the last local elections.

‘Erdoğan's strength is Turkey's weakness'

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has a majoritarian understanding of democracy and his strength is rooted in the popular vote, which in turn cripples the establishment of strong institutions for a democratic process, journalist Rainer Hermann, a long-term follow of Turkish politics and an expert on the Middle East, has said.

Erdoğan in the driver's seat, but Gül has the map

Yavuz Baydar

The March 30 municipal elections unleashed new dynamics, while cementing some existing ones. It has underlined in bold the fault lines in Turkish society, dividing the constituencies on identities more visible, vocal, obstinate and confrontational than before. This is the product of Erdoğan's choices.

TUSKON's Meral tells Turkish firms in Germany to open to world

Turkish-owned businesses in Germany should exert more effort to branch out into different world markets, a top Turkish union told entrepreneurs in Frankfurt on Thursday.