Presidents of Turkey

The prevention of President Abdullah Gül’s return to politics is an important political indicator. Gül’s exclusion from politics is indicative of how the Justice and Development Party (AKP) has changed its stance from the inclusive, reformist, moderate and center-oriented policies it followed from its inception in 2002 until 2010 to more radical and ideological politics.

President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has heralded an “overhaul of the customary rules of the state” of the Turkish Republic when he takes office at Çankaya Palace, while urging his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to secure a stronger parliamentary majority next year to enable them to re-write the Constitution.

An adviser to Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has been appointed as a chief adviser to the Prime Minister’s Office two weeks before the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) elects its new leader.

The appointment of Ali Sarıkaya was interpreted on Aug. 12 as yet another sign that Davutoğlu could soon become prime minister.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he has worked with the President Abdullah Gül in harmony during his term at the Prime Ministry despite some “small problems,” speaking at private Kanal 24 channel on Aug. 4.

“We did not conflict with each other. We worked in harmony except for some small problems,” said Erdoğan.

The Constitutional Court has unanimously rejected individual applications filed by Kenan Evren and Tahsin Şahinkaya, the two 1980 military court leaders convicted to life imprisonment last week. The applications had been made on the grounds that Evren and Şahinkaya suffered “rights violations” during their trial.

June 18, 2014 marked two important court rulings, both of which were about Turkey’s problematic history of relations between politics and the military.

A Turkish court has issued a life sentence for former President Kenan Evren and former air force commander Tahsin Sahinkaya.

Evren, 96, and 89-year-old Sahinkaya were found guilty of crimes against the state, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

An Ankara court June 18 sentenced the two key defendants in the case of the Sept. 12, 1980 military coup d’état to life in prison.