ISTANBUL // Turkey's main opposition, the Republican People's Party, or CHP, has lashed out at its traditional allies in the military in a move that may signal the end of a long-standing coalition of forces opposed to the government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister.
"The alliance between the CHP and the army is nearing its end," wrote Celal Kazdagli, an author, in a column for the internet portal cafesiyaset. "Even if the connections between the CHP and the military have not been cut entirely, they have loosened."
The CHP and the military are traditional allies who see themselves as heirs to the country's founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, an army general who became Turkey's first president and founded the CHP in 1923.
Both institutions adhere to Kemalism, an ideology that goes back to Ataturk and views political Islam as an anti-democratic and dangerous development. The CHP, which ruled Turkey until 1950, is often described as the country's "state party" because it enjoys strong support in state institutions, including the military, the judiciary and the bureaucracy.
That may be about to change. Last week, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, a leading CHP politician, angered the army leadership by criticising what he sees as a reluctance to confront Islamist tendencies in the army and even implied that the general staff might have been bought off by Mr Erdogan.
Mr Kilicdaroglu, a close aide of Deniz Baykal, the CHP leader, and a deputy leader of the party's parliamentary group, has been acting as an informal party spokesman since the start of parliament's summer recess on Aug 1.
He pointed out that not a single officer had been expelled from the military for Islamist tendencies at the last meeting of the High Military Council, or YAS. As the sacking of officers accused of Islamist views had been a routine occurrence at previous YAS meetings, Mr Kilicdaroglu suggested there was some kind of a deal between the military and the government of Mr Erdogan, which has roots in political Islam.
"I am of the opinion that there are very warm relations between the government and the general staff," Mr Kilicdaroglu said. He said the government had given an armoured luxury car worth one million lira (Dh3.1m) to Gen Yasar Buyukanit, who will leave the position of chief of general staff at the end of the month.
The general staff reacted immediately to Mr Kilicdaroglu's statement, posting a press release on its website only hours after the CHP politician had spoken. "The decisions of the YAS to expel officers are not made to please or disappoint certain quarters," the general staff said.
Without mentioning Mr Kilicdaroglu, the military accused him of launching "baseless attacks" against the army. The general staff confirmed that an armoured car was earmarked for Gen Buyukanit, but said the general had been the target of four assassination attempts in recent years. It gave no details.
The cooling of relations between the CHP and the military is partly due to the party's disappointment with what it sees as a soft approach of the general staff in dealing with Mr Erdogan's government, observers said.
Earlier in the year, the CHP criticised the army for withdrawing from northern Iraq prematurely, after the general staff ordered a retreat of Turkish forces from the neighbouring country following a week-long intervention aimed at destroying camps of the Kurdish rebel group PKK.
As Mr Erdogan has succeeded in co-operating closely with Gen Buyukanit despite their ideological differences and expects to do the same with Gen Ilker Basbug, who will succeed Gen Buyukanit at the end of the month, the CHP has grown uneasy, commentator Rusen Cakir wrote in Vatan, a daily newspaper.
The impression of a harmonic co-operation between Mr Erdogan's government and the army angered the CHP, because it "has built its entire strategy ? on tensions and even conflicts between state institutions".
At the same time, CHP politicians "think the generals have taken some steps in favour of the AKP", Mr Cakir wrote. "Therefore, they burn the bridges" with the military.
Critics said the CHP has become a party of increasingly nationalist naysayers, blocking many reforms launched by Mr Erdogan in the framework of Turkey's EU bid.
The CHP recently opposed changes to Turkey's penal code aimed at strengthening free speech and has taken the government to court repeatedly for passing laws that give foreigners the right to own real-estate in Turkey.
Mr Baykal has also publicly defended members of a suspected gang of radical nationalists who are to stand trial in October for trying to overthrow Mr Erdogan's government.
The hardline course steered by Mr Baykal has driven many followers away from the CHP.
"You cannot say there is an organised and democratic opposition in Turkey," columnist Oral Calislar, a leading representative of left-leaning intellectuals, wrote in Radikal, a daily newspaper. "Most of the opposition in this field comes from the European Union."
The CHP has not won an election since 1977. At last year's general elections, the party received 20.1 per cent of the vote, far less than Mr Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, which raked in 46.6 per cent.
A poll made public last week suggested that the CHP has since failed to close the gap, showing the party at 17.8 per cent and the AKP at 47.6 per cent.
@Email:tseibert@thenational.ae
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
World Cup warm up matches
May 24 Pakistan v Afghanistan, Bristol; Sri Lanka v South Africa, Cardiff
May 25 England v Australia, Southampton; India v New Zealand, The Oval
May 26 South Africa v West Indies, Bristol; Pakistan v Bangladesh, Cardiff
May 27 Australia v Sri Lanka, Southampton; England v Afghanistan, The Oval
May 28 West Indies v New Zealand, Bristol; Bangladesh v India, Cardiff
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
Federer's 11 Wimbledon finals
2003 Beat Mark Philippoussis
2004 Beat Andy Roddick
2005 Beat Andy Roddick
2006 Beat Rafael Nadal
2007 Beat Rafael Nadal
2008 Lost to Rafael Nadal
2009 Beat Andy Roddick
2012 Beat Andy Murray
2014 Lost to Novak Djokovic
2015 Lost to Novak Djokovic
2017 Beat Marin Cilic
England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
Scoreline:
Barcelona 2
Suarez 85', Messi 86'
Atletico Madrid 0
Red card: Diego Costa 28' (Atletico)
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
Results
2.15pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Arrab, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).
2.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Mahaleel, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel.
3.15pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum handicap (TB) Dh200,000 2,000m; Winner: Dolmen, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
3.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m; Winner: Amang Alawda, Sandro Paiva, Bakhit Al Ketbi.
4.15pm: The Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 1,200m; Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
4.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 2,000m; Winner: Al Jazi, Jesus Rosales, Eric Lemartinel.
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap (TB) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Golden Goal, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner: Walton Street, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
7.40pm Dubai Stakes Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Switzerland, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner Lord Giltters, Adrie de Vries, David O’Meara
8.50pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Military Law, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
9.25pm Al Fahidi Fort Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Land Of Legends, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
10pm Dubai Dash Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,000m
Winner Equilateral, Frankie Dettori, Charles Hills.
Building boom turning to bust as Turkey's economy slows
Deep in a provincial region of northwestern Turkey, it looks like a mirage - hundreds of luxury houses built in neat rows, their pointed towers somewhere between French chateau and Disney castle.
Meant to provide luxurious accommodations for foreign buyers, the houses are however standing empty in what is anything but a fairytale for their investors.
The ambitious development has been hit by regional turmoil as well as the slump in the Turkish construction industry - a key sector - as the country's economy heads towards what could be a hard landing in an intensifying downturn.
After a long period of solid growth, Turkey's economy contracted 1.1 per cent in the third quarter, and many economists expect it will enter into recession this year.
The country has been hit by high inflation and a currency crisis in August. The lira lost 28 per cent of its value against the dollar in 2018 and markets are still unconvinced by the readiness of the government under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to tackle underlying economic issues.
The villas close to the town centre of Mudurnu in the Bolu region are intended to resemble European architecture and are part of the Sarot Group's Burj Al Babas project.
But the development of 732 villas and a shopping centre - which began in 2014 - is now in limbo as Sarot Group has sought bankruptcy protection.
It is one of hundreds of Turkish companies that have done so as they seek cover from creditors and to restructure their debts.
The Good Liar
Starring: Helen Mirren, Ian McKellen
Directed by: Bill Condon
Three out of five stars
The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais