civil society

The current parliamentary system in Turkey is out of date and the existing situation, in which both the prime minister and president are elected by the people, is unsustainable, President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has stated, emphasizing his wish to hold a referendum over a new constitution and a transition to a presidential system while calling on civil society organizations and media to launch a g

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has emphasized that he wishes to hold a referendum to make a new constitution and transition to a presidential system, calling on civil society organizations and media to launch a grassroots campaign to this aim.

There is a Turkish saying that goes "There is no religious holiday or any similar occasion; why did my brother-in-law kiss me?"

Turks use it when faced with an unexpected positive gesture that they have difficulty understanding the purpose of. 

Turkey's score in Transparency International's 2015 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) fell by three points from the previous year to 42, making the country one of the index's worst performers over the past four years, alongside countries such as Libya and Brazil. 

The council of Bulgarian presidents, which convened for the fourth consecutive year on Monday, called for extending the role of direct democracy in the country and accelerating the pace of reforms.

The tradition for presidents to meet around the date when the Bulgarian heads of state assume office - January 22 was established by incumbent Rosen Plevneliev in 2013.

Yuvarla (Round Up) has been named the seventh Changemaker of the 7th season of the Sabanci Foundation Turkey's Changemakers Program. 

Through Yuvarla, a small change when you shop online, which may not mean much to you, is transferred directly to civil society organizations a donation. There are two civil society volunteers behind this system: Emre Danaci and Erdi Yerebasmaz. 

It's clear that U.S. Vice President Joe Biden deliberately decided to spare his Friday for issues of serious concerns abroad on the future of Turkish democracy, the rule of law and human rights. 

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to hold two days of talks in Turkey on Jan. 22 and 23 with particular emphasis on Iraq and Syria as well as the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). 

Turkey and the United States have common interests in Syria, Biden said, denying the existence of any differences between the two allies.

Romania's National Liberal Party, PNL, says it will formally ask the new "technocratic" government of Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos. to pass an emergency ordinance amending the electoral law, so that elections for mayors and county council presidents take place in two rounds.

Local elections are scheduled for the middle of 2016.

Bulgarian policemen have readiness to stage new protests over the new bill proposing amendments to the Interior Ministry Act.

Trade unions in the sector are scheduled to meet with representatives of the ministry on Wednesday in order to discuss their diverging views over the planned reform, Darik radio informs.