New party may bring little cheer to Turkey's Islamists

By Kesava Menon

MANAMA (BAHRAIN), JULY 21. Turkey's Islamists are a hardy lot. Within weeks of the dissolution of their last political formation they are back at the organisation-making game. They, however, re- enter the spotlight weakened by division and in the process have lessened their chances for impacting on the current political situation.

Mr. Recai Kutan, who headed the Virtue Party till it was dissolved last month by Turkey's Constitutional Court, had announced the formation of a new formation called Saadet (Happiness) and is expected to seek registration with the Interior Ministry soon. He has appealed to all Turks whose lives have been disrupted by the tough economic reform programme being implemented by the Government under IMF guidance to flock to his banner. This stress on the economic issues before the people is an element that religious outfits across the West Asian region have been adopting in the current phase of their search for political pre-eminence.

Turkey's Islamists did not really set up an enviable record in economic management when they were in power for a brief period three years ago. But there is widespread anger at the reform programme for Happiness to exploit and the raising of such issues helps them cover their radicalism. Covering up its radicalism is a measure that Happiness must take in the current circumstances. The Interior Ministry might not block its registration but State prosecutors could insist that it should be banned as it was merely a new version of Welfare which was banned because it challenged Turkey's secular constitution. In a pre- emptive defence against such a possible move, Mr. Kutan has announced that his new party while protecting religious rights will not challenge the secular principles of the State. At the same time, he has announced that his party stood for a complete constitutional change so as to enhance the protection of human rights.

All the camouflage might not help Happiness. This party is already identified by most Turks as the formation of the more conservative wing of the Islamist movement. Most people also believe that the real power in the party will be the former Prime Minister, Mr. Necmettin Erbakan. A reason for the declining popularity of the Islamists in recent years is the widespread belief among the people that Turkey's establishment will never allow a formation that is closely associated with Mr. Erbakan to gain control of government. That being so, people find little benefit in voting for it. Happiness might retain the loyalty of its core conservatives but stand a good chance of losing those who think more flexibility is required.

Such a formation of flexible Islamists may soon appear on the Turkish scene. The Constitutional Court has just issued a ruling that the former Istanbul Mayor, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan can return to politics. Mr. Erdogan is expected to set up a formation intended to appeal to the centre-right. Once both efforts fructify, there is expected to be fierce competition for not just the Islamists' vote bank. A hundred members of the Turkish Parliament who were elected on the Virtue ticket are currently listed as independents following the dissolution of that party. Mr. Kuatan and Mr. Erdogan will be vying for their loyalty.

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Section  : International
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