A suggestion by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for work to begin on a new constitution stirred fears for the country's democratic safeguards.
Turkey's last constitutional changes three years ago resulted in the end of parliamentary democracy and the concentration of power in Mr Erdogan's hands under an executive presidency.
“Perhaps the time has come for Turkey to once again discuss a new constitution,” the president said on Monday. “If we reach an understanding with our alliance partner, we may mobilise for a new constitution in the coming period.”
As Mr Erdogan spoke, police in Istanbul were arresting scores of students protesting in Istanbul over the presidential appointment of a university rector from the ruling party, highlighting Mr Erdogan's growing reach and the fragility of the rule of law in Turkey.
While not providing details on possible constitutional changes, Mr Erdogan said they were necessary to remove traces of “military tutelage” in the current charter, which dates to the junta of the 1980s.
The idea of a new constitution puzzled many observers, given Mr Erdogan is now able to govern by presidential decree.
“This is a populist’s strategy but usually it’s done in the first term, you don’t do it after being in power for 19 years,” said Berk Esen, assistant professor of political science at Istanbul’s Sabanci University.
“What’s the gain? Erdogan controls the economy, the army, the political system, the bureaucracy, there’s no institution that Erdogan doesn’t control, so I don’t know what a new constitution brings to the table.”
Critics claimed Mr Erdogan enjoys powers that have eroded judicial independence and the separation of powers. The system also allows a president to retain leadership of a political party for the first time, removing the office’s previous impartiality.
The government and its supporters said the system improves decision-making and provides clear direction.
Hints of constitutional change echo Mr Erdogan’s promises at the end of last year for judicial and democratic reform as Ankara faced international isolation and an economic crisis compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.
Coupled with recent economic and diplomatic pivots, this reform agenda is “the most important but also the most difficult” for the government to achieve, according to Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, director of the German Marshall Fund think tank in Ankara.
As Mr Erdogan seeks to manoeuvre, however, his alliance with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) is proving to be a hindrance, he said.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has been allied to Devlet Bahceli’s MHP since the latter backed calls for the presidential system after a 2016 coup attempt.
Questioning the call for a new constitution as “not much more than a talking point”, Mr Unluhisarcikli said the president “doesn’t really want to give up too much power, he just wants it to appear that Turkey’s becoming more democratic because it will contribute to better relations with the United States and the European Union”.
Ankara is hoping talk of reform will encourage foreign investors as well as boost ties with the new administration in Washington and alleviate the threat of EU sanctions over confrontation with Greece in the Eastern Mediterranean.
However, Mr Bahceli opposes rapprochement with Athens and is thought to be unsettled by talk of reform, fearing any outreach to the Kurdish community.
He recently called for the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), a left-wing group with roots in Turkey’s Kurdish movement and parliament’s third largest party, to be banned.
The ruling coalition accuses the HDP of links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), designated a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the EU and the US over its 36-year insurgency.
While the HDP denies the claims, thousands of its members and officials have been jailed since 2016 as elected mayors and MPs were removed from office.
“The HDP must be closed and not reopened,” Mr Bahceli tweeted in December. “No tolerance should be shown to any party organisation that takes as its reference ethnic separatism and terrorism.”
While Mr Erdogan has shown no sign of supporting a ban – perhaps for fear of alienating Kurdish voters or incurring more international condemnation – he has condemned the opposition for working alongside the HDP.
Within the “mutual dependency” of the AKP-MHP alliance, “both sides are suspicious that the other will reduce their dependency on them”, Mr Unluhisarcikli said.
The president’s recent meetings with smaller parties, interpreted by some as a sign he is seeking to hedge the AKP’s reliance on its nationalist allies, is “sowing distrust” between the partners.
“Erdogan is trying to figure out ways to decrease his own dependency on the MHP, trying to open up to the Kurds or luring other parties into the alliance,” Mr Unluhisarcikli said.
“The AKP and the MHP are not considering divorce yet but both of them are talking to their lawyers about what that process would look like.”
Meanwhile, Ali Babacan, formerly economy chief under Mr Erdogan, noted the proposal for constitutional change followed opposition talks about a return to a fortified parliamentary system.
“The mentality that governs Turkey does not believe in the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary,” Mr Babacan, head of the Democracy and Progress Party, said on Tuesday.
“No matter what amendments you bring to the constitution, without these two factors you can’t solve the country’s problems. The country doesn’t just have a problem with the system of governance but also a serious problem with the mentality of those who govern.”
Others questioned the relevance of constitutional change while the presidential system remains in place.
Ibrahim Kaboglu, a constitutional law professor and opposition MP, said the departure from a politically impartial presidency had allowed Mr Erdogan to establish a “one-person party state”.
“There is absolutely no possibility of the president ensuring the supremacy of the constitution as long as he unconstitutionally remains party leader,” he said.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Getting%20there%20and%20where%20to%20stay
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Score
Third Test, Day 1
New Zealand 229-7 (90 ov)
Pakistan
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat
FULL%20FIGHT%20CARD
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Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
TOUCH RULES
Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.
Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.
Similar to rugby league, the attacking team has six attempts - or touches - before possession changes over.
A touch is any contact between the player with the ball and a defender, and must be with minimum force.
After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.
At the roll-ball, the defenders have to retreat a minimum of five metres.
A touchdown is scored when an attacking player places the ball on or over the score-line.
List of alleged parties
May 12, 2020: PM and his wife Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at least 17 staff
May 20, 2020: They attend 'bring your own booze party'
Nov 27, 2020: PM gives speech at leaving party for his staff
Dec 10, 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson
Dec 13, 2020: PM and his wife throw a party
Dec 14, 2020: London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff event at Conservative Party headquarters
Dec 15, 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
Dec 18, 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
POSSIBLE ENGLAND EURO 2020 SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Dean Henderson.
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, Joe Gomez, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Ben Chilwell, Fabian Delph.
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Harry Winks, Jordan Henderson, Ross Barkley, Mason Mount, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Forwards: Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Race 3
Produced: Salman Khan Films and Tips Films
Director: Remo D’Souza
Cast: Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Bobby Deol, Daisy Shah, Saqib Salem
Rating: 2.5 stars
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
The five pillars of Islam
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
RESULTS
1.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner AF Almomayaz, Hugo Lebouc (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)
2pm Handicap (TB) Dh 84,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Karaginsky, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Sadeedd, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard.
3pm Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner Blue Sovereign, Clement Lecoeuvre, Erwan Charpy.
3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4pm Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Bladesmith, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh 68,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Company%20profile
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH STATS
Wolves 0
Aston Villa 1 (El Ghazi 90 4' pen)
Red cards: Joao Moutinho (Wolves); Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa)
Man of the match: Emi Martinez (Aston Villa)
Results
2.30pm: Expo 2020 Dubai – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m; Winner: Barakka, Ray Dawson (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer)
3.05pm: Now Or Never – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: One Idea, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson
3.40pm: This Is Our Time – Handicap (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Perfect Balance, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar
4.15pm: Visit Expo 2020 – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Kaheall, Richard Mullen, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.50pm: The World In One Place – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1.900m; Winner: Castlebar, Adrie de Vries, Helal Al Alawi
5.25pm: Vision – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Shanty Star, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly
6pm: Al Wasl Plaza – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Jadwal, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson
Zodi%20%26%20Tehu%3A%20Princes%20Of%20The%20Desert
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEric%20Barbier%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYoussef%20Hajdi%2C%20Nadia%20Benzakour%2C%20Yasser%20Drief%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A