SABAH- Columnist Okay Gonensin comments on political parties' preparations for elections. A summary of his column is as follows:
Turkey's tripartite coalition government has been ruling the country for nearly three years. In the shadow of the economic crisis, it has managed to rack up many accomplishments and reforms in various areas by overcoming its inter-coalition frictions. However, still no improvement has been made on the basic economic problems, and the economic engine is not running smoothly. We've been told that the economy would begin to right itself this June. However, owing to the summer holiday, now all eyes have turned to this fall. The end of 2002 will be turning point for Turkish-EU relations. The EU's declaration on beginning negotiations with Turkey for full EU membership, which hinges on the Cyprus issue, will spur preparations for elections in Turkey. On the other hand, if such a decision is not declared and if negative developments are seen on the Cyprus issue, it will also signal a start of an election period. When the election period begins, the coalition parties will have no more chances to make promises about the economy. The Democratic Left Party (DSP) and the Motherland Party (ANAP) will prepare themselves for elections with a vision of the EU, democracy and prosperity. The Nationalist Action Party (MHP) has already begun to prepare its platform. Its slogan goes: 'No concessions to those who are trying to divide our country! Terrorists will be executed! Turkey will not surrender to Europe!" The True Path Party (DYP) has the advantage of being an opposition party and has tried to avoid an MHP monopoly on these topics. DYP leader Tansu Ciller is playing both sides: she defends the target of EU membership and at the same time, she stands close to the MHP regarding the capital punishment issue. The Justice and Development Party (AKP) lacks a clear stance on critical topics. It resembles Ciller in its tendency to play two-sided politics. The Felicity Party (SP) seems to be a club of 'Erbakan lovers' with little chance in the race. The Republican People's Party (CHP), which champions EU membership together with social rights and social justice, cannot make its voice heard, since it is not represented in Parliament. It is occupied in attracting those disaffected from the DSP. Additionally, on the center left at least two more groups are trying to form a party and make it to the elections. The political structure doesn't want early elections, and no one would dare touch the Elections and Political Parties Law. So in sum, Turkey is heading for a election period with only one issue on the agenda. And this will last for at least one-and-a-half year.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION