BY MUHARREM SARIKAYA
SABAH- Although the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) seems to be trying to stop it, debates over early elections tied to the presidency won't end. The opposition's game plan is also tied to early elections before the presidential election set for May. The opposition aims to force the AKP to call for early general elections by Jan. 20 with the support of non-governmental organizations and certain other institutions. When I spoke with main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday, he said, `Everybody, including NGOs, businessmen, tradesmen, industrialists, etc., must understand that the first quarter of 2007 would be lost and the rest would be catch-up for the economy if early elections are held. Otherwise, we could lose the first quarter of 2008 as well.' Baykal added that when their views reach a certain maturity, they would propose that Parliament hold early elections. He said, `It's easy to make the suggestion to hold early elections. But we want this idea to become mature with the public, and the ruling party can make a decision with the opposition party.' Based on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan remarks after he got back from New York saying that the AKP's votes are above 30%, Baykal said, `Seeing that its votes are very high, I dare him to hold elections in March or April. But he can't do it, because he's scared and playing to win the presidential election.'
True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar's views are in line with Baykal's. Agar believes that civil society must also voice its wish for early elections aloud. Agar thinks that unless early elections are called for by Jan. 15-20, the new Parliament's chance to elect the president will be exhausted. Meanwhile, Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) leader Erkan Mumcu is angry with the CHP. He said, `If the CHP were to support our proposal for a Constitutional amendment for popular election of the president, the problem would be solved. Otherwise, according to the Constitution, Erdogan would be elected president and this would be legitimate. However, the CHP made Erdogan prime minister and now it's opening the way for him again.'
It seems that the parliamentary opposition's views concerning early elections are different from each other. The AKP also knows this. It's determined to make efforts so the current Parliament can elect the president on May 16. It has also found the formula for overcoming possible tensions following the presidential election, that is, holding general elections in July. A key person from the ruling party explained their decision as follows: `If elections are held in 2007, there will be no election earlier than this date. We'll elect the president in May and then hold general elections in July. There are two methods for solving the problem of presidential elections. One of them is a semi-presidential system, and the other is giving the powers indicated in the 1961 Constitution to the president.' Everybody has a common candidate within the AKP, that is, Erdogan. Nobody can guess what will happen if he decides not to run. Maybe that's why some of them propose holding general elections in July, ahead of November, their scheduled date.