SABAH- Retired Ambassador Sukru Elekdag writes on Turkish-EU relations and early elections. A summary of his column is as follows:
The success of the Turkish football team in the World Cup made Turkey rejoice in ecstasy. However, we have been unable to show the same quality and success we enjoy in playing soccer in governing the country. The three-party coalition government is inadequate and incompetent. It cannot focus on the crucial problems of the country and make correct decisions. None of the issues it has taken up has been brought to fruition. Until a short while ago, business circles in particular claimed that early elections would harm the country based on two reasons. One of them was that the bill for early elections would be too heavy for the economy and lead to the collapse of the economic stability program. However, it is evident that this reason is no longer valid. Estimates have shown that the climate of uncertainty seen in the country cost much more than the bill for early elections. In fact, the additional burden brought on by the increasing interest rates and the worsening foreign exchange rates to domestic debt is estimated to be around $ 9 billion. In financial circles this is called ‘risk premium’. As the prime minister’s illness is chronic, there is no hope that he will get better in time. Therefore the atmosphere of uncertainty will get worse every day and the risk premium will grow heavier. If this situation goes on for another five or six months, a new crisis may erupt. We will fall into a worse situation than Argentina, which last year announced that it wouldn’t be able to pay its $146 billion debt. The negative growth which will follow as a result of the crisis may lead to social collapse and eruptions in Turkey. The second reason against the holding of early elections was that such an event would work against Turkey’s obtaining a date for accession negotiations from the EU at the Copenhagen summit at the end of the year. However, notwithstanding the positive and encouraging messages coming from the EU summit in Seville, it is nothing but a dream to expect the postponing of Parliament’s summer recess, and passing the reform bills and displaying a united stand in abolishing the death penalty, and overcoming the obstacles to teaching and broadcasting in mother tongues. There may be some hope left in the Parliament, but it is a distant possibility for it to form a rational majority and defend the nation’s future. When all these mentioned above are taken into consideration, it will be clearly seen that it is the government and the Parliament which are obstructing the solutions to of problems and leaving the country face to face with new crises. Therefore, they should be able to see that the bill footed by their parties would be less if they do not insist on lengthening the life of the present government. Circles claiming that a new election and political parties law is necessary before holding new elections are correct in essence. However, at present there is no will in the Parliament regarding the issue. Early elections would be tantamount to a referendum on the EU and would prepare a background for the renewal of the country and its pursuing a stable path.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION