Turkish Presidency 101

Anyone, but anyone, who will run for office for the position of the President of the Republic of Turkey should take this exam and be able to pass it. The passing grade is 91 percent. There might be a second test. The exam duration is seven years. There will be quite a bit of homework, presentations and projects, as well as a dose of conscience needed to be able to finish the course successfully. TOMAs are not required.

1) Explain what you understand about the principle of “separation of powers?” Or, better yet, have you ever heard of the concept of the separation of powers? What is it good for?

2) What is democracy?

3) What is the European Union?

4) What is the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)? Explain why Turkey is the most convicted country at the ECHR?  What do you plan to do about it?

5) When will summer come anyway? It is June, for God’s sake – JUNE.

6) What do you understand about human rights?

7) What is pluralism?

8) Where does Islam stand in your life? Christianity? Judaism?

9) Have you spoken to one Gezi youth in your lifetime? What did you talk about? What did she/he tell you? What did you glean from it?

10) What is your gender? What do you think about a female president?

11) How long do you think an opening ceremony for legal institutions should last?

12) Where is Turkey? Where is Kadıköy? Where is Esenyurt? Have you visited any of these districts in Istanbul: Papatya, Bağcılar, Tozkoparan, Sarıgazi or Arnavutköy – not the one near Bebek, right on the shore of the Bosphorus – the one northwest of Gaziosmanpaşa?  

13) Do you speak English? As a matter of fact, you should...