Emine Ülker Tarhan’s new ulusalcı outfit – and the new supposedly Gülenist party – herald the start of the Turkish pre-election silly season
It has happened so often it has practically become routine. At the end of a Turkish parliamentary term, there are always quite a few angry MPs hidden in the ranks of the mainstream political parties. They have a plethora of grievances – dissatisfaction with policy, limited personal attention from party leaders, being looked over once too often for a role in government. Whatever their reasons, these disgruntled MPs get it into their heads that it would be a remarkably good idea to resign and either join another minor party or set up one of their own. “My old party doesn’t understand the Turkish electorate,” the unhappy MP says.
“My new party is precisely what everyone has been waiting for.” Or words to that effect.
Only it never really works that way. Take Yaşar Nuri Öztürk, who resigned from the CHP in 2004 because he felt it could not achieve “the change expected by the people”. His Rise of the People Party (HYP) managed a measly 0.5% of the vote in the subsequent general election.
Or there’s Erkan Mumcu, who sensationally walked away from the first AK Party government and became leader of a temporarily reinvigorated Motherland Party (ANAP). He found himself as the kingmaker in the contentious presidential election of 2007, but didn’t even bother to contest the parliamentary election that followed.
Abdüllatif Şener, who served in the first AK Party government, took the unusual step of resigning from the party and as an MP. He went on to start the Turkey Party as a centre-right rival – but it got absolutely nowhere. Then there was İsmail Cem, the foreign minister behind Turkey’s rapprochement with Greece, who in 2002 described his New Turkey Party (YTP) as the left-wing party his country was looking for. It won 1.15% of the vote and disbanded not long afterwards.
It is the humble opinion of this writer that Emine Ülker Tarhan’s Anatolia Party (or Ana Parti [which also means ‘mother party’] for short) will not get far. That said, the feeling is mutual about former AK Party MP İdris Bal’s Democratic Development Party (DGP).
Mr Bal left the governing AK Party under a cloud several months ago. His new outfit has, like the ultra nationalist BBP, encountered charges that it is being administered from afar by Fethullah Gülen and his movement. That is why at least one member said he was resigning from the party barely hours after it was founded.
This is not to disrespect either Ms Tarhan or Mr Bal. Either may attract more MPs to their cause: several ulusalcı MPs in the main opposition CHP are said to be mooting a switch to the Anatolia Party, for example. But Turkey’s 10 per cent electoral threshold means it takes many years, not mere months, for any party to establish the foothold with the party to enter parliament, let alone form a government.
Few expect either leader to still be in parliament this time next year.
Thanks for this, but isnt it difficult to run in elections as a new party in Turkey? Dont you need to have a full list of candidates in half the provinces to participate for example? Seat allocation and the 10% threshold also dont help. Neither does lax implementation of party financing rules…
3OfajZ I simply could not go away your site before suggesting that I really loved the usual info an individual provide to your visitors? Is gonna be back ceaselessly to investigate cross-check new posts
“One more issue is video games are usually serious in nature with the key focus on finding out rather than fun. Although, we have an entertainment part to keep children engaged, every single game is often designed to focus on a specific set of skills or program, such as math concepts or technology. Thanks for your write-up.”
A round of applause for your article post.Really thank you! Awesome.
Say, you got a nice blog.Really thank you! Really Great.
Major thankies for the blog article. Fantastic.
“wow, awesome post.Thanks Again. Want more.”
Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic blog post.Really thank you! Want more.
Thank you for your blog.Much thanks again. Much obliged.
“Wonderful blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News. Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Appreciate it”
It as not that I want to copy your internet site, but I really like the pattern. Could you tell me which style are you using? Or was it especially designed?
A big thank you for your blog post. Cool.
I really liked your blog article.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
Very informative blog.Really thank you! Great.
Usually I don at learn post on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to take a look at and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, quite nice article.
Really informative blog.Much thanks again. Will read on…
indeed, investigation is having to pay off. So happy to possess found this article.. of course, analysis is having to pay off. Wonderful thoughts you possess here..
Im obliged for the blog.Thanks Again. Much obliged.
Wow, wonderful blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is magnificent, let alone the content!
Really enjoyed this article post.Thanks Again. Awesome.
“F*ckin’ tremendous issues here. I’m very happy to see your post. Thank you a lot and i’m having a look forward to contact you. Will you please drop me a mail?”
Thanks for the blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Great.
wow, awesome blog.Really thank you! Keep writing.
Really enjoyed this post.Really thank you! Want more.
Great blog post.Really thank you! Fantastic.
I am so grateful for your blog.Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool.
Awesome article.
Hello! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers?
My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing months of hard
work due to no back up. Do you have any solutions to stop hackers?
I am really impressed with your writing skills and also with
the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify
it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a nice
blog like this one nowadays.
Hi there, I discovered your web site by means of
Google while looking for a comparable subject, your web site got here up, it seems to be good.
I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hi there, just was aware of your blog via Google, and
found that it’s truly informative. I am going to be careful for brussels.
I will appreciate should you proceed this in future.
Many other folks might be benefited out of your writing.
Cheers!
What’s up i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting
anyplace, when i read this piece of writing i thought i could also make comment due to this good paragraph.
I know this site provides quality based posts and extra stuff, is there any other
web page which provides these information in quality?
Very rapidly this website will be famous amid all blogging and site-building visitors, due to it’s good articles or reviews
My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was entirely right.
This post actually made my day. You can not imagine just how
much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
Does your site have a contact page? I’m having a tough time locating it but, I’d
like to shoot you an email. I’ve got some ideas for your blog you might be interested
in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.
Hello to all, the contents present at this
site are in fact amazing for people knowledge, well, keep up the nice work fellows.
I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s
both educative and engaging, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head.
The issue is something which too few people are speaking intelligently about.
Now i’m very happy that I stumbled across this during my search for
something regarding this.
Good article. I definitely appreciate this site.
Keep writing!
Hi, I do believe this is an excellent blog.
I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to return yet again since I bookmarked it.
Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.
Ahaa, its pleasant dialogue on the topic of this piece of
writing at this place at this weblog, I have read all that, so at this
time me also commenting at this place.