Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-08-11

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Erdogan wins the Presidential Election in Turkey

[02] Erdogan won also the Presidential Elections abroad

[03] The persons living in the breakaway regime voted for AKP's candidate

[04] Statements by CHP and Demirtas on Erdogan's victory

[05] The US congratulates Erdogan's presidential victory

[06] Turkish columnist Yetkin and KONDA Research company manager evaluate Erdogan's election

[07] Most likely scenario: Davutoglu to be PM

[08] Birikim Ozgur comments on the election of President Erdogan

[09] Turkish Cypriot columnists assess Erdogan's victory in the Presidential Elections

[10] Sertoglu for Kutsokumnis: Let Kostakis do his own job

[11] A golf project in occupied Vokolida

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Erdogan wins the Presidential Election in Turkey

Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the joint candidate of Turkey's two largest opposition parties, claimed 38.33% of the vote, whereas Selahattin Demirtas -- candidate of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democracy Party -- won 9.71%. The turnout to the elections was at 73%.

In addition, Ankara Anatolia also reports that President-elect Erdogan called on nation to 'establish a strong Turkey together' in his customary post-election 'balcony speech', where he said that Turkey had taken the first step towards a "new era."

Speaking to a large crowd that chanted its support, Erdogan, Turkey's dominant political figure over the past decade, delivered what has become a tradition for him -- a speech from the balcony of his Justice and Development Party's headquarters in Ankara. Erdogan expressed his gratitude to the nation for his election as Turkey's 12th President and said that the national will and democracy were the victors in the election. "The only loser in the Sunday's election was the status quo," Erdogan said. "Those who accuse us of dictatorship should sincerely question themselves." Turkey's president-elect said that those who did not vote for him had won, as well. "I say from the bottom of my heart, let's start a new social consensus together," Erdogan said, adding that he would be "the president of all the people in Turkey."

[02] Erdogan won also the Presidential Elections abroad

Specifically, in Germany where the largest population of Turkish people reside outside of Turkey, Erdogan has received 69,1%, followed by Ihsanoglu who received 23,4% and Demirtas with 7,3% of the votes. Ihsanoglu has received more votes than Erdogan in countries including Israel, United States, Canada and Iran, while he failed to beat Erdogan in his hometown, Yozgat.

[03] The persons living in the breakaway regime voted for AKP's candidate Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (11.08.14) reports about the persons who live in the breakaway regime and have the right to vote for the Turkish presidential elections held yesterday and notes that 55.16% of the persons who cast their vote, voted for Tayyip Erdogan. In addition 36.54% voted for Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and 8.3-% voted for Selahattin Demirtas.

[04] Statements by CHP and Demirtas on Erdogan's victory

CHP spokesperson Haluk Koc said: "We thank Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, who won everybody's heart whether they voted for him or not." "Another thank-you goes to Selahattin Demirtas," the CHP executive, surprisingly said, praising him "for his style along this process, despite all efforts to create tension." Yet he added: "The losers in this election are not Ihsanoglu and Demirtas. The real loser is the longing for clear and honest politics and the quest for true democracy." "One candidate resorted to a language based on all kinds of religious and sectarian polarization, as well as hatred during rallies," Koc said, in an apparent reference to Erdogan.

Today's Zaman (11.08.14) writes that commenting on the results, Ihsanoglu welcomed the election result on Sunday night, saying that the nearly 40% support he got was a "very significant figure." "It is an answer to those who said a month ago, when we first started our election campaign, that nobody even knows Ihsanoglu," he told reporters. "I want to express my gratitude for those who supported me, all the political parties and the army of volunteers," he said.

In addition, Hurriyet Daily News (11.08.14) reports that Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) presidential candidate Selahattin Demirtas, who significantly increased his party's vote count over the local elections, said in his first statement after the announcement of the results that his message had reached every corner of the country. "Our campaign has made an important breakthrough and had significant success. We will continue to defend our principles with more determination and insistence," Demirtas said at his campaign centre in Diyarbakir.

Demirtas also acknowledged that his campaign had broken the ethnic boundaries of the Kurdish political movement and managed to widen its electorate to a wider spectrum. "It is now clear that it's our stance that is the candidate to widen the hope of the peoples and will determine Turkey's line. Our movement has created excitement and almost reached the result that it was aiming for," Demirtas said. His campaign based on representing all segments of society ? from members of the LGBT community to workers ? won the praise of a large portion of voters and opinion makers.

Demirtas also vowed to build on his presidential campaign to represent the country's left wing in the upcoming parliamentary elections and expressed the expectation that he would represent the oppressed against the rule of capital. "Especially with this election, the workers and the poor have said that they were with all the oppressed of this country," Demirtas said.

[05] The US congratulates Erdogan's presidential victory

"President Obama looks forward to working with Prime Minister Erdogan in his new role and with whomever succeeds him as the next Prime Minister," White House National Security spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said in response to an Anadolu Agency correspondent's question. Hayden said that President Obama was expected to speak with Erdogan in the coming days.

[06] Turkish columnist Yetkin and KONDA Research company manager evaluate Erdogan's election

"[?] The main reason for Erdogan's victory is an extremely energetic and aggressive election campaign by Erdogan. He did not want to leave anything to chance, despite the estimates predicting his victory in the first round. [?]

Another reason is the lack of enthusiasm for Erdogan's main rival in the presidential race. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, who was supported by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) (among 10 other smaller ones), only received nearly 39% of the votes, a number behind even the sum of the two parties in the local elections of March 30, namely 43.2%. [?] That lack of enthusiasm seemingly turned into indifference by the supporters of the opposition parties from going to the ballot box. Actually, both CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu and MHP leader Devlet Bahceli had urged their followers a number of times about the importance of casting their votes, since low turnout would be to Erdogan's benefit, but it seems it did not echo enough, especially in the MHP's ears.

That interpretation does not apply for the third candidate, Selahattin Demirtas of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), which is cantered on the Kurdish problem. His supporters rushed to the polls. He lost the game and despite support from the Turkish left, he narrowly missed the 10% he had targeted; but could increase the 5.9% of support from March 30 to 9.1%. It's not wrong to say that he managed to be the smiling face of the Kurdish problem in Turkey and the new rising star of Turkish politics in this election, since Erdogan's star has now hit its zenith.

Erdogan got what he wanted. He wanted to consolidate all the executive power in his hands and now he has the chance and capacity for that after taking the Presidential Palace on top of Cankaya Hill in Ankara from Abdullah Gul. Erdogan's support for presidency was more than the support for his party in the last general elections in 2011, which was nearly 50%. [?] That means, following an ascending graphic since his AK Party came to power in 2002, Erdogan's time in Turkey has started, which he likes to call the "New Turkey."

That will have consequences in reshaping the Turkish political system, for example, a shift in the regime from a parliamentary to a strong presidential model. And Erdogan's time will have reflections in Turkish foreign policy at a time when the region Turkey is a part of is burning in flames. Erdogan, after Vladimir Putin of Russia and Hassan Rouhani of Iran, will endorse his role in regional geopolitics and in Europe, following in the footsteps of Angela Merkel of Germany, a leader who renewed her public support in a clear way.

Erdogan may start to build his new Turkey from today on, without the need to wait for the handover ceremony on Aug. 27, since he thinks the winner should take all with such popular support."

Hurriyet Daily News (11.08.14) also publishes statements by Bekir Agirdir, General Manager of the KONDA Research Company who said that the presidential elections have shown that Turkey is stuck with "identity politics".

The head of KONDA, said that the voting continued an on-going trend that was confirmed in the local elections. "This was confirmed in March 30: All four parties are representatives of one identity," Agirdir said. "The Justice and Development Party [AKP] is the party for the religious, the conservative. The Republican People's Party [CHP] is the party for the seculars, laicists, or modern [people] with worries. The Nationalist Movement Party [MHP] is the nationalists' and the Peace and Democracy Party [BDP] is the Kurds'. Turkey is stuck to four parties of identity politics."

Agirdir added the situation is not "superficial," and has its sociological reflections in society. "In the past, the identities were pushing the parties, but now parties are manipulating the identities and shaping their sociological bases," he said. Agirdir said that the AKP is not getting all its votes from being religious, but from its power and Recep Tayyip Erdogan's leadership character. "AKP has the psychology of rage against what is standing against them," he added.

Polarization could be seen in the presidential election results, Agirdir said, adding the polls were determined by being "pro-Erdogan" or "anti-Erdogan," citing that as a result of the oppositions' failure.

[07] Most likely scenario: Davutoglu to be PM

The most likely scenario floating in the capital suggests two figures as potential Prime Ministers, Ahmet Davutoglu and Binali Yildirim, although the former has more of a chance. Yildirim, however, is expected to serve for Erdogan at the presidency as his right hand man.

The AKP is expected to hold its extraordinary convention before the presidential handover slated for August 28 in a bid to elect the new chairman so that Erdogan will be able to give the mandate to form the new government on the same day he takes office. He is set to conclude consultations with the party within the coming days before announcing his successor.

What makes Davutoglu more advantageous, in comparison to any other potential candidates, is that he has no three-term limitation problem, as he still can run for Parliament for two more terms. Another point is that he has shown full loyalty to Erdogan in critical moments and has proven that he may continue to work in harmony with the President. Furthermore, although his performance as Foreign Minister has been controversial and debatable, his support to Erdogan as ideologue is still very important given the fact that the party will now have to pass another test in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Davutoglu is believed to have a capacity to mobilize the party's grassroots and keep the party united and lead the Cabinet in the best possible way.

[08] Birikim Ozgur comments on the election of President Erdogan

Ozgur said that the period of Erdogan's presidency will be reflected on the Cyprus problem, reminding that the aim of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) on its founding stage was the "solution in Cyprus". He added that there is a probability with the Presidential election in Turkey and the upcoming "presidential election" in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus to change the "inefficient atmosphere" at the Cyprus talks.

[09] Turkish Cypriot columnists assess Erdogan's victory in the Presidential Elections

Referring to the third candidate, Selahattin Demirtas, Hasturer argues that Demirtas achieved his target which was a percentage around 10%. "The only one of the three candidates, who did not achieve his target is Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu", writes Hasturer describing this as failure of the CHP and MHP, which could not secure for Ihsanoglu the total of the 20 million votes that the two parties had received during the municipal elections in March.

Hasturer writes that Erdogan's victory was not a surprise, but it is certain that tension in the Turkish political life will not decrease. He adds the following:

"However, the regime problem is continuing. Democracy is still problematic. Now the attention is on the AKP. Who will become AKP's President and the Prime Minister? The percentage which Erdogan secured has not strengthened him as much as he wanted in forming the AKP's future. AKP should reach the number of 330 Deputies in 2015 for a constitutional amendment which will bring the presidential system. Is one of the names which Erdogan wants the strong chairman and Prime Minister who will secure this? AKP started discussing these issues last night.

I watched the results by touring the TV channels. The media is one of the most important problems of Turkey's political life, of Turkey's democracy. A serious part of the media has become a side [in the elections], supporting a [candidate] as if they supported a team. (?) The global media principles are not valid in Turkey. The media employees are 'fighters' and not journalists for the fighting journalism. They seem to worry that they will lose their value, if this tensed struggle ends. (?)"

Commenting on the same issue in its "Afrika'dan Mektup" [Letter from Afrika] column, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper calls Erdogan as "the last sultan". The paper reports, inter alia, the following under the title "Turkey made its choice, now is our turn":

"Erdogan declared the authoritarian Islamic regime even when he was Prime Minister. Now after he comes to the throne, this regime will become further consolidated. The majority of the people of Turkey have not absorbed democracy. They prefer to have a sultan over their head. Because they have not overcome feudalism, they like to be administrated. Not all the people of course, half of them. 52%. Only 20,5 million persons. However, unfortunately, those who do not approve this sultanate will also have to tolerate it. As a matter of fact, this is the most saddening. The majority of the population of the TRNC is satisfied with this result. (?) The turnover in Cyprus was very low. The number of those who voted did not even reach seven thousands. However, Erdogan received 55% here as well. If Cypriots had also voted, Erdogan would surely receive higher percentage. (?)"

(I/Ts.)

[10] Sertoglu for Kutsokumnis: Let Kostakis do his own job

Sertoglu argued that Kutsokumnis should do his own job first and added: "We know very well what we have signed in Zurich. Let Kutsokumnis do its own but first and afterwards we will do ours".

Sertoglu complained also about the fact that Serdar Denktas, self-styled deputy prime minister and "minister" for economy, tourism, culture and sports, does not want to meet him and does not even reply to his request for a meeting submitted two months ago. He also noted that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu does not greet him. He said: "The one does not give me rendezvous, the other does not greet me. These are not important things. We will continue taking the right steps for the football of this country".

(I/Ts.)

[11] A golf project in occupied Vokolida

According to the paper, Turkish company Bilgili Holdings signed last month near occupied Ayios Theodoros village and "Thalassa beach resort" for the first stage of a two-hotel development and 18-hole golf course project.

Levent Abay, Istanbul-based projects manager, said: "The golf course will be the first phase of the project with hotels next. We will discuss hotel names with partner companies but we envisage one more functional hotel and another themed on the ocean."

The $50 million investment is the first in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus by the company, which has been involved in real estate since 1993.

Abay added that the project would be coordinated by the Korineum Golf and Beach Resort's Gunay Cerkez, who is also the former head of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce.

Speaking to the paper, Cerkez said: "We hope to complete the golf course in time for the 2015 September-to-April season and to cooperate with Korineum Golf Club."

Meanwhile, the paper also reported that a new hotel by the Turkish investors Zafer Construction and Trade ltd, the Concorde Cyprus Resort, is also slated for the nearby 12th parcel of the "Bafra (occupied Vokolida) Tourism investment zone".

The "Cyprus Turkish investment development agency), Yaga, launched investment opportunities for sports and leisure developments in 2010 to complement the 13-hotel Bafra development of which only two are finished, Noah's Ark resort and the Artemis hotel.

Unfinished projects in occupied Vokolida include the Goctur Pine Bay Kibris resort's 1,200-bed tourism complex and Limak holdings' 1,100-bed Babylon resort. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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