Domestic Politics
- Erdogan’s Governing Party in Turkey Loses Parliamentary Majority
- Statement on the General Elections in Turkey
- Turkey set for parliament with highest woman representation ever
- Anger and Grief Simmer in Turkey a Year After Soma Mine Disaster
Foreign Policy
- State Department Congratulates Turkey on Elections
- EU hails high turnout in Turkey’s election
- Train-equip program not enough for Syria and Iraq: Turkish FM
- Americans and Turks Discuss ISIS Threat
Economy and Energy
- Turkish Lira and Assets Sink on Political Uncertainty After Election Result
- Economists confident in Turkish economy after elections
Domestic Politics
Erdogan’s Governing Party in Turkey Loses Parliamentary Majority
Turkish voters delivered a rebuke on Sunday to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as his party lost its majority in Parliament in a historic election that thwarted his ambition to rewrite Turkey’s Constitution and further bolster his clout.
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New York Times, June 7, 2015, Erdogan’s Governing Party in Turkey Loses Parliamentary Majority, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/08/world/europe/turkey-election-recep-tayyip-erdogan-kurds-hdp.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=0
Statement on the General Elections in Turkey
The Board of Directors of the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD) released a statement following the General Elections of June 7, 2015. In the statement, TÜSİAD urged the incoming Parliament to “resolutely work toward raising the level of Turkey’s democracy, economy and social standards.” The TÜSİAD Board of Directors also urged political parties to seek compromise.
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TUSIAD, June 8, 2015, Statement on the General Elections in Turkey, http://www.tusiad.us/press-releases/tusiad-press-release-june-8-2015/
Turkey set for parliament with highest woman representation ever
All four parties represented in Turkish parliament, except the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), have increased the number of their women deputies, thus labeling the 25th term of parliament as one with the highest number of women deputies in Turkey’s history of democracy.
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Hurriyet Daily News, June 8, 2015, Turkey set for parliament with highest woman representation ever, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-set-for-parliament-with-highest-woman-representation-ever.aspx?pageID=238&nID=83659&NewsCatID=339
Anger and Grief Simmer in Turkey a Year After Soma Mine Disaster
May marked one year since the deadliest industrial disaster in modern Turkish history, the explosion and fire that tore through a coal mine in near the town of Soma, leaving 301 men dead. The disaster led to protests in Soma and across Turkey that were broken up by the riot police using rubber bullets and water cannons.
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New York Times, June 2, 2015, Anger and Grief Simmer in Turkey a Year After Soma Mine Disaster, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/03/world/europe/anger-and-grief-simmer-in-turkey-a-year-after-soma-mine-disaster.html?ref=todayspaper
Foreign Policy
State Department Congratulates Turkey on Elections
“The United States looks forward to working with the newly elected parliament and with the future government. As a friend and NATO ally, we are committed to continuing our close political, economic, and security cooperation,” said Jeff Rathke, Press Office Director.
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U.S. Department of State, Jun 8, 2015, Daily Press Briefing – June 8, 2015, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2015/06/243270.htm#TURKEY
EU hails high turnout in Turkey’s election
The European Union has welcomed the high turnout in parliamentary elections that was held in EU-candidate Turkey on June 7, while also expressing readiness to make progress in relations between Brussels and Ankara.
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Hurriyet Daily News, June 8, 2015, EU hails high turnout in Turkey’s election, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/eu-hails-high-turnout-in-turkeys-election.aspx?pageID=238&nID=83638&NewsCatID=510
Train-equip program not enough for Syria and Iraq: Turkish FM
A program to train and equip Syrian opposition fighters is not enough to save Syria and Iraq on its own, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said June 4. Turkish and U.S. officials are still in discussions about the issue, the minister said.
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Hurriyet Daily News, June 4, 2015, Train-equip program not enough for Syria and Iraq: Turkish FM, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/train-equip-program-not-enough-for-syria-and-iraq-turkish-fm.aspx?pageID=238&nID=83492&NewsCatID=510
Americans and Turks Discuss ISIS Threat
American and Turkish officials are discussing a joint effort to clear Islamic State fighters away from Turkey’s southern border, a senior State Department official said on Monday.
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New York Times, June 1, 2015, Americans and Turks Discuss ISIS Threat, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/world/europe/americans-and-turks-discuss-isis-threat.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=0
Economy and Energy
Turkish Lira and Assets Sink on Political Uncertainty After Election Result
Turkish assets plummeted and the lira sunk to a record low against the dollar Monday, as political uncertainty gripped markets after the government failed for the first time in more than a decade to win a majority in Sunday’s national elections.
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Wall Street Journal, June 8, 2015, Turkish Lira and Assets Sink on Political Uncertainty After Election Result, http://www.wsj.com/articles/turkish-lira-and-assets-sink-on-political-uncertainty-after-poll-result-1433747277?tesla=y
Economists confident in Turkish economy after elections
Economists and other experts have told Anadolu Agency that investor confidence in Turkey will not flag despite potential political instability after June 7’s general election.
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Hurriyet Daily News, June 8, 2015, Economists confident in Turkish economy after elections, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/economists-confident-in-turkish-economy-after-elections—-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=83654&NewsCatID=344