EU warns Turkey’s army on democracy

“The timing is rather surprising and strange,” he said. “It’s important that the military respects also the rules of the democratic game and its own role in that democratic game.”

 

 

Turkey’s military, which has intervened five times in the last 50 years to topple governments, on Friday warned the government that it would enter politics if the ruling party attempted to alter the country’s long-standing commitment to secularism.

 

In a statement, the military’s general staff said that the pro-secular army would “openly display its position and attitudes when it becomes necessary”.

 

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The unusual warning came after Abdullah Gul, the presidential candidate for the ruling Justice and Development Party, failed to win the first round of a parliamentary vote after opposition parties boycotted the poll, which is the first step towards chosing a new president.

 

“It should not be forgotten that the Turkish armed forces is one of the sides in this debate and the absolute defender of secularism,” the statement said.

 

“When necessary, they will display their attitudes and actions very clearly. No one should doubt that.”