| Tuesday, February 20, 2007
A recent poll conducted among Turkish citizens in 27 provinces shows that while there are many social divisions in the country, with many voicing their objection to the slogans at the funeral of journalist Dink, around support closer ties with Yereven and the opening of the border with Armenia
ANKARA – TDN Parliament Bureau
Turkey’s political and social divisions and established stances are not an impediment to fostering better relations with neighbors, no matter how poisoned they are, a new survey has found.
The Metropoll Strategic and Social Research Center’s February poll on Turkish politics once again showed the evident divisions in the political scene, but also noted the significant social contradictions that may help to better understand recent developments. The poll was conducted among 2,403 people in 27 provinces between Feb. 1 and 11.
Journalist Hrant Dink, who was a member of the Armenian minority and the editor-in-chief of Armenian weekly AGOS, was murdered on Jan. 19 by Ogün Samast, 17, for writing remarks in one of his columns perceived by some nationalist groups as insulting. Dink received a suspended six-month jail term for violating Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK).
Huge crowds turned up at Dink’s funeral carrying placards that said, “We are all Armenians” and “We are all Hrant Dink.” There have been many criticisms of the slogans from far-right groups, but the poll reflects that their stance reflects the general attitude of the Turkish public.
The study showed that both slogans were considered objectionable by ordinary Turks, with 86 percent objecting to “We are all Armenians” and 67 percent opposing “We are all Hrant Dink.” Freedom and Solidarity Party (ÖDP) leader Ufuk Uras, when asked to comment on the findings, said that while they may seem contradictory, he saw them as encouraging. He said the objection to the slogans was
more the product of the nationwide anti-propaganda against the show of sympathy during the funeral, rather than the true opinions of the public.
Questioned on Dink’s murder, 68.9 percent believed it was definitely committed by a criminal organization.
However, when it came to relations with Armenia, 47.5 percent of Turks wanted improved political and economic relations with the country, with only 16.6 wanting total severance of relations. The same holds true on the issue of the opening of the border to Armenia, with 47.8 percent supporting the idea.
The tense relations between Turkey and Armenia may not reflect the actual attitude of the country, but instead represents the stance taken by the strong Armenian diaspora overseas, Turkish Daily News columnist Semih İdiz suggested in his column last Thursday.
İdiz noted that while the hard-line nationalist mentality continues to prevail in Yerevan, mostly due to the promptings of the Armenian diaspora, if Turkey made positive gestures to the country to improve the daily lives of Armenians, their perception would truly change. “Surely there are sound minds in Yerevan that … desire a different kind of understanding if relations with Turkey are to open up in ways that really make a difference for Armenia.”
Bilgi University Cultural Studies Post-Graduate Program Director Bülent Somay said the opening of the border with Armenia was also something some far-right nationalists from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) wanted. “While the figures may seem encouraging, they are not” he said.
Turks are happy:
The study showed that despite the political tension and economic hardship, Turks are generally a happy people, with 58 percent describing themselves as either happy or very happy.
Those who said they definitely were not happy represented only 18.3 percent of those polled.
Who should become president?:
The poll showed that 50.3 percent had no idea who should become Turkey’s next president, just two months before the presidential election process is set to begin, however, on the presidential aspirations of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, more than half, 57.3 percent, said they did not want him to become the next president and only 15.8 percent supported Erdoğan’s presidency.
Gül seen as number two:
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül, seen by many as the one who would take over as prime minister if Erdoğan runs for president, was seen as the most likely candidate for prime minister. Among respondents 55.8 percent said Gül would become the prime minister if Erdoğan became the president, but interestingly 24.3 percent saw him as a possible presidential candidate, almost 10 percent more support than that shown for Erdoğan’s candidacy.
Politics changes little in five years:
The poll also asked who would they vote for if the national elections, scheduled to take place later this year, were held today. In the Nov. 3, 2002 elections, only Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Republican People’s Party (CHP) received enough votes to pass the 10 percent election threshold to win seats in Parliament.
According to the Metropoll study, in the five years since the last elections, almost nothing has changed, with AKP and CHP receiving slightly fewer votes than they received before but no other political party passing the barrier for Parliament representation.
The study said AKP would receive 30.3 percent and CHP would receive 14.2 percent of the national votes, with 9.1 undecided and 10.1 deciding not to vote if the elections were held today.
Metropoll was established in 2004, with the founder, Professor Özer Sencar, being a former Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University dean and deputy rector. Metropoll is an independent company that carried out polls for municipalities, political parties, banks and universities in the past.
News Source: Turkish Daily News |
Akgün Medya