Is federalism a remote possibility for Turkey?
Turkey has been going through some major political and legal changes recently during which the government in office has not refrained from taking the most radical steps on the way to resolving the long dealt with conflicts.
It is indisputable that the AK Parti government has managed to get through many “mission impossible” challenges with success, some claim. Looking at the picture from one point of view this is a difficult comment to deny.
Looking through another point of view though – mainly adopted by mainly nationalist and secular citizens the republic is being dragged to a point of no return where the ultimate goal is to divide the country after which the pro-Kurdish front would aim a union of the southeastern territory of Turkey with the Kurdistan State formed in Iraq by the extra efforts of the superpowers.
Yet, some others say the ultimate goal of the front against the current republic is to bring a federal system into Turkey where there would be 2 states in practice; A Turkish State in Western Turkey and A Kurdish Administration to be established and run by the pro-Kurdish group in South Eastern Turkey.
Some even say the Ottoman Empire was a state founded on a federal system and suggest that implementation of a federal system might come onto the agenda of modern Turkey.
The opposition further claims there have been hidden negotiations between long jailed leader of the pro-Kurdish terror organization and the government regarding legal changes to bring presidential system into Turkey, in return for introducing advantages required by pro-Kurdish front – on the way to a federal system with 2 administrations, the Kurdish administration to be headed by Ocalan.
Thus, many were surprised to hear PM Erdoğan say “There is no federal system being brought. However, strong states would not be afraid of this anyway. The Ottomans had a federal system as a strong state. If I’m in power in 2023, this system may be discussed” in a statement made by th PM to the journalists.
Many believe nevertheless that such a move would be far too much for millions of patriotic Turks to bear with in which case major unrest in the country could be in question.
One thing is for certain; Such a move could be a big blow to the ruling Ak Parti and put their governing position at stake.
28.03.2013
Editor
