Secularism in Turkey

A ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy has caused consternation by retweeting an insulting post about former President ?smet ?nönü, one of the founders of the Turkish Republic, triggering reactions even from her own fellow party members.

The state mechanism is not a tool to oppress the people, but to provide services to them, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu has said, criticizing the homeland security bill draft brought to parliament by the ruling party. 

The Turkish government has increased the amount of funds allocated annually to the Directorate of Religious Publications Revolving Funds, a body under the Directorate General for Religious Affairs (Diyanet), to 40 million liras.

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader has pledged to double the amount of money given to pensioners on religious holidays if he becomes prime minister, ahead of the upcoming elections scheduled for June 7.

The lists of names of important civil servants who have resigned to run for office in general elections are printed in newspapers. These are, of course, the famous ones that the papers are interested in.

We know that the "real list" is much longer.

This is not a new situation.

Turkey's highest administrative court has made a landmark ruling, convicting the Prime Ministry over the leaking of a report that included illegitimate records about the main opposition leader while ordering it to pay compensation.

A war of words between the ruling and main opposition parties in Turkey over a controversial draft security bill has grown larger, with the latter describing the law as a "clear provocation." 

Parliamentary debates scheduled to begin today on the government's contentious new security bill have been postponed at least until next week.

The government has vehemently defended its contentious new security bill, which is set to be on parliament's agenda on Feb. 4, amid strict objections from all opposition parties, who argue that the bill signals a return to the "police state" in Turkey.

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Vice Chairman Sezgin Tanr?kulu has said women lack representation at the Constitutional Court, following the retirement of the sole female at the court due to a restriction on age.

Tanr?kulu also stated that women lack representatives in all fields of life under the current Justice and Development Party (AKP) rule.