Cultural Post 2 - Military Intervention

[David Mowry]

The two recent investigations into the Ergenekon and Balyoz cases represent a larger trend in the internal dynamics of Turkish political life. In each of these cases, the ruling AKP has arrested and tried members of the military and supposed collaborators who have been accused of plotting to create the conditions necessary to foment a military coup (askeri darbe). Throughout its history, the AKP has been in conflict with the military and judicial establishments over its interpretation of political secularism. Before the AKP existed, the Fazilet Partisi (1998-2001) and its predecesor parties were often accused of pursuing policies prescribed by political islam, which is strictly prohibited under the secular Kemalist tradition.

The Ergenekon and Balyoz cases have been perceived differently among disparate factions in the Turkish political spectrum. By some, the investigations represent the secret goings-on of the "deep state," which is representative of the military and judicial branches that are not under civilian or electoral oversight. Others perceive the cases as an attempt by the ruling party to discredit its main opposition. The main opposition party, the CHP, perceives the military as an effective check on the possibly islamist orientation of the AKP. The nationalist party, the MHP, sees the military as the most important actor promoting the interests of the Turkish state and would like to see the military's influence expanded, not reduced. The Kurdish parties are possibly the most sympathetic to the AKP's efforts, as the military and judiciary have been the most rigid opponents to Kurdish interests. This point has been magnified by the recent court ruling banning the pro-Kurdish DTP from political activities.

No matter the intentions of the AKP, a series of military coups from 1960-1980 (and a "post-modern" coup in 1997) give credibility to fears of military intervention. The cases of 1960 and 1980 are especially infamous for the military's role in stabilizing volatile political situations. The 1980 coup, as the most recent intervention where military force was used, is remembered for its violence and persecution of political prisoners throughout Turkey, with Diyarbakir prison as the often used example of brutality.

Thus is it credible to fear military intervention in political life, but the connection between those arrested and the plots they are accused of planning is somewhat dubious at best, and political farce (saçma) at worst. Recently, there have been calls for early elections and constitutional amendments to address the most contentious aspects of the AKP. The recent regional elections saw a decrease in support for the AKP, but it is yet to be seen whether the base of AKP popularity will decrease below the margin of plurality in the coming months and years.