Republic Protests

{{See also|Secularism in Turkey|Atatürk's Reforms}}

Turkey's preservation and maintenance of its secular identity has been an issue and source of tension long before the demonstration. In the past, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has spoken out against the active restrictions on wearing the Islamic-style head scarves in government offices and schools, and taken steps to bolster religious institutions. According to the Guardian Unlimited, Erdoğan showed his Islamist nature when he initiated a move in 2004 to criminalize adultery, which eventually failed under intense pressure from the secularist forces in the country and the European Union, which Turkey has been trying to join.

General Yaşar Büyükanıt, Chief of the Turkish General Staff, warned against Islamic fundamentalism in October 2006. Prime Minister Erdoğan replied that there was no such threat.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/5189959.asp?gid=48|title=İrtica tehdidi var önlem alın|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-20}} In a press conference two days prior to the demonstration, Büyükanıt stated: "We hope that someone is elected president who is loyal to the principles of the republic — not just in words but in essence." This statement was widely interpreted as a hint from the General urging Erdoğan not to run.

The serving president, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, aimed a clear swipe at Erdoğan the day before the demonstrations by stating, "The threat which Islamic fundamentalism poses to the country is higher than ever."{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/15/world/europe/15turkey.html?_r=1&oref=slogin|title=300,000 Protest Islamic Hue of Turkish System|author=SABRINA TAVERNISE|work=New York Times|access-date=2007-04-15|date=2007-04-15}} Although the post is mainly ceremonial, the Turkish president has the power to veto laws if he holds them to be in violation of the Constitution of Turkey, as well as to veto appointments to the highest positions of the state administration, such as the presidencies of universities and many public institutions. Sezer, a former chief of the Constitutional Court, did so many times during his years in office.{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-turks15apr15,1,2597666.story?coll=la-headlines-world&ctrack=1&cset=true|title=Secular Turks rally to send a message to prime minister|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2007-04-15|first1=Yesim|last1=Borg|first2=Laura|last2=King|date=2007-04-15}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6329346.asp?gid=0&srid=0&oid=0&l=1|title=Sezer'in konuşmasının tam metni|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-19}} In a recent poll by Hürriyet, a majority of the participants agreed with the president's assessment.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6361160.asp?gid=180|title=Cumhurbaşkanı bu çıkışı yapmakta haklı mı?|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-20}}

On April 24, foreign minister Abdullah Gül was announced as the official candidate of Justice and Development Party, by Erdoğan. His candidacy was controversial from the beginning due to his background of two proscribed Islamic political parties, and his statement "We want to change the secular system", in an interview published by the Guardian in 1995.{{cite web|url=http://www.milliyet.com.tr/2007/05/01/son/sondun10.asp|title=Abdullah Gül laiklik için ne dedi?|publisher=Milliyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-01}} Nevertheless, additional concerns were also present, including the effect of the hijab-style clothing of his spouse on Turkey's image,{{cite web|url=http://www.internetajans.com/default.asp?NID=31630|title="Soykırım Yoktur" Diyeni Yazmazlar|publisher=internetajans|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927095434/http://www.internetajans.com/default.asp?NID=31630|archive-date=2007-09-27|url-status=dead}} who previously filed a case against Turkey for the ban in the public buildings.{{cite web|url=http://www.ntvmsnbc.com/news/406259.asp|title=Gül'ün eşi türban için AİHM'e gitmişti|publisher=ntvmsnbc|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-01}}

File:Protect Your Republic Protest - 2 (2007-04-14).jpg]]

On 14 April the first protest took place in Tandoğan square in Ankara. The number of people gathering in front of Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Ankara, was cited as ranging from "hundreds of thousands" to 1.5 million people. The first protest was one of the largest that Turkey had seen in years until then.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/04/24/turkey.candidate.reut/ | publisher=CNN.com / Reuters|date=2007-04-24|title=Turkey gets a reformist candidate}} {{Dead link|date=November 2011|bot=RjwilmsiBot}} - "...more than 350,000 people rallied in Ankara against a possible Erdoğan presidency. It was one of the largest protests in years." The target of the first protest was the possible presidential candidacy of the then Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (the outcome of which will be determined by the Turkish Grand National Assembly (unless the recent modifications on the constitution become ratified on time), in which Erdoğan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) has a healthy majority). Erdoğan decided not to run for president after the rally.

The slogan of the protest was Claim Your Republic ({{langx|tr|Cumhuriyetine Sahip Çık}}).{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6335051.asp?gid=180|title=%65'in yüzbinleri|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-15}}{{cite web|url=http://haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtVty.jhtml?sw=TURKEY&itemNo=848255|author=News Agencies|title=300,000 rally in Turkey against candidates with Islamist roots|publisher=Haaretz|date=2007-04-14|access-date=2007-04-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001000419/http://haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArtVty.jhtml?sw=TURKEY&itemNo=848255|archive-date=2007-10-01}} According to the Ministry of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces, who administer Anıtkabir, 370,000 people visited the monument on that day,{{cite web |url=http://www.tsk.mil.tr/anitkabir/guncel/faaliyetler/gunluk_ziyaretci/2007/nisan2007.html |title=Anıtkabir Ziyaretçi Sayıları |publisher=Turkish Armed Forces |language=tr |access-date=2007-04-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070416020020/http://www.tsk.mil.tr/anitkabir/guncel/faaliyetler/gunluk_ziyaretci/2007/nisan2007.html |archive-date=2007-04-16 }} but eyewitness accounts from those who participated say that at least twice that amount was not able to enter the crowded grounds (see photo). Police announcements gave conflicting numbers ranging from about 70,000 to 150,000 participants which was criticized among police officials themselves stating "such announcements hurt the credibility of the department."{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6345917.asp?gid=180|title=Emniyetin miting rakamlarında çelişki|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-17}} CNN Türk spoke of more than 650,000 at the meeting.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnnturk.com/TURKIYE/haber_detay.asp?PID=318&haberID=332233|title=CNNTURK Emniyet Miting Raporu|publisher=CNN Türk|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-30|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509192940/http://www.cnnturk.com/TURKIYE/haber_detay.asp?PID=318&haberID=332233|archive-date=2007-05-09}}

The demonstrators had different motives, including the suspicion that Erdoğan, who is thought to be attached to political Islam, will alter the secular state. Erdoğan's government denies having an Islamic agenda, but according to CNN, some critics argue that the government is inching the country towards increased religious rule.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/04/14/turkey.protest.ap/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070422055215/http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/04/14/turkey.protest.ap/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-04-22 |title=200,000 protest against Turkey PM |publisher=CNN |access-date=2007-04-15 }} Erdoğan has had run-ins with the law in the past: He was tried and convicted for "inciting religious hatred" and had consequently served a four-month jail term in 2000 while he was the Mayor of Istanbul, Turkey's most populous city.{{cite web|url=http://washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20070402-094121-2895r.htm|title=Bad blood in Turkey|publisher=The Washington Times|access-date=2007-04-15}} According to the Guardian Unlimited, the pro-Islamic prime minister's party has been eroding secularists' longtime grip on power.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/worldlatest/story/0,,-6557928,00.html|title=300,000 March Against Turkey's Leader|publisher=Guardian Unlimited|access-date=2007-04-15|location=London}} {{Dead link|date=November 2011|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}

The protest was initiated by the "Atatürk Thought Association" ({{langx|tr|Atatürkçü Düşünce Derneği}}) and supported by around 300 non-governmental organizations in Turkey. First some 60,000 people who travelled from all over Turkey by bus arrived to the protest in the early hours of Saturday, 14 April. People travelled by train and the residents of Ankara joined the protest overfilling Tandoğan Square and the nearby streets two hours before the official beginning. Among the protesters were also leaders of the opposition parties, Deniz Baykal (CHP), Zeki Sezer (DSP) and some professors of various universities wearing academic regalia. Protesters, waving the Turkish flag and carrying banners depicting Atatürk, chanted "Turkey is secular and will remain secular" ({{langx|tr|Türkiye laiktir laik kalacak}}) and "We don't want an imam as president!" ({{langx|tr|İmam cumhurbaşkanı istemiyoruz}}). The demonstration in downtown Ankara ended at 13:00 local time (10:00 GMT). Afterwards, the crowd marched to the Anıtkabir to pay their respect to the founder of the republic.{{cite web|url=http://www.milliyet.com.tr/2007/04/14/son/sontur07.asp|title=Ankara'da miting olaysız sona erdi...|publisher=Milliyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-15}}

During the demonstrations, flight above Tandoğan Square and Anıtkabir was banned. Twelve ambulances and eleven police APCs were kept at standby in the surrounding streets. A contingent of 10,000 police officers watched over the crowd, but the demonstration ended peacefully.

Although the demonstrations received international media attention,{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6335228.asp?gid=180|title='Cumhurbaşkanı olma' mitingi|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-15}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.milliyet.com.tr/2007/04/16/guncel/agun.html|title='Yüz binlerce insan Erdoğan'ı reddetti'|publisher=Milliyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-17}}
{{cite news|url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3387666,00.html|script-title=he:טורקיה: הפגנת ענק נגד מועמדות ארדואן לנשיאות|date=2007-04-14|access-date=2007-04-17|publisher=Ynet News|author=The Associated Press|newspaper=Ynet|language=he}} all but one (Kanal Türk) of the local networks gave the demonstrations very little coverage. Habertürk director Melih Meriç said the lack of local coverage is because of political pressure.{{cite web|url=http://www.internethaber.com/news_detail.php?id=79801|title=Yüz binler yürüdü TV'ler uyudu|publisher=internethaber.com|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070417074229/http://www.internethaber.com/news_detail.php?id=79801|archive-date=2007-04-17}}

On 16 April in an interview en route to Germany on board the prime minister's jet, Erdoğan said that the demonstration would not affect his decisions (at the time he had not yet decided whether to run).{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6338844.asp?gid=180|title=Lider öldü desinler|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-16}} Bülent Arınç, Speaker of the Turkish Parliament, commented that "they will elect a civilian, democratic and religious president". He also said that "not the regime but the power of the backers of status quo was in danger".{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6338873.asp?gid=180|title=Dindar cumhurbaşkanı seçeceğiz|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-16}} In response to the protests Eyüp Fatsa, AKP group chief representative, stated that "if they [AKP] decided to hold such a demonstration they could gather ten times as many people" and that the parliament does not decide based on crowd gatherings.{{cite web|url=http://www.haberturk.com/haber.asp?id=20374&cat=110&dt=2007/04/16|title=Biz düzenlesek 10 katını toplarız|publisher=Haber Türk|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-16}} A Reuters article that appeared in the French newspaper Le Monde stated that if Erdoğan became president, Turkey would face its greatest political crisis since the creation of the Turkish Republic in 1923, noting the intricate connections between the secular elites and the army, and that the Chief of the Turkish Armed Forces had warned people of the danger threatening Turkish secularism. The article also reported that the Republican People's Party, the main opposition party, have declared their intention to leave the parliament and ask the Constitutional Court to cancel Erdoğan's running in the elections.{{cite web|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/web/depeches/0,14-0,39-30525156%407-37,0.htmlp|title=Le Premier ministre turc Tayyip Erdogan face à un choix crucial|publisher=Le Monde|language=fr|access-date=2007-04-17}}

On 18 April Arzuhan Doğan Yalçındağ, the president of the Association of Turkish Businessman and Industrialists (TÜSİAD), stated that she felt Erdoğan would not stand as a candidate in the presidential election.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6346612.asp?gid=180|title=Erdoğan aday olmayacak|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-17}}

On 24 April after these weeks of debate over who would run for the presidency, foreign minister Abdullah Gül was put forward as the only candidate.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/04/24/turkey.candidate.reut/index.html |title=Turkey gets a reformist candidate |publisher=CNN |access-date=2007-04-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070428074555/http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/04/24/turkey.candidate.reut/index.html |archive-date=April 28, 2007 }} Jonathan Rugman, a British reporter in Turkey for the Guardian, had published an article on 27 November 1995 following an interview with Abdullah Gül, who was then a member of the Welfare Party and made remarks such as "the Republican Era is over" {{langx|tr|Cumhuriyet döneminin sonu gelmiştir}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/dunya/6444915.asp?gid=200|title=Abdullah Gül, o sözleri söyledi|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-02}} Immediately following the announcement, a group of 14 people was arrested for gathering to protest his candidacy in front of the Çankaya Palace (the presidential complex). After the arrest, smaller groups also gathered, chanting "if carrying the Turkish flag is a crime, take us too" ({{langx|tr|Türk Bayrağı'nı taşımak suçsa bizi de alın}}). Drivers passing by reportedly showed support by waving flags from their cars. A similar protest took place in Kuğulu park.{{cite web|url=http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/haber.aspx?id=6396769&tarih=2007-04-24|title=Çankaya Köşkü önünde gösteri: 14 gözaltı|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-29}} When asked about this at a reception, General Ergin Saygun responded by quoting the 12 April speech of Yaşar Büyükanıt. When further inquired what he thought about the new commander-in-chief's wife having an Islamic headscarf, Saygun replied by saying that the answer to the question was inside it.{{cite web|url=http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/haber.aspx?id=6396197&tarih=2007-04-24|title=Askerden ilk yorum|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-29}}

On 25 April when inquired about his wife's Islamic headscarf, Gül responded by saying his wife's decision should be respected and treated as a personal right.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6393126.asp?gid=180|title=Eşimin başörtüsüne saygı duyulmalı|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-29}} The same day there was an assassination attempt on the YÖK president Dr. Erdoğan Teziç who is known for his secularist remarks. Three rounds were fired by a 30-year-old man identified as Nurullah İlgün. İlgün was arrested the same day.{{cite web|url=http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/haber.aspx?id=6401757&tarih=2007-04-25|title=Teziç'e saldırı girişimi|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-29}}

On 27 April, with only 353 parliamentarians present, the AKP failed to achieve a quorum of 367, and Gül's candidacy failed at the first round despite a majority of those present voting in favour. Due to the lack of necessary participation and several alleged violations of the constitution, the vote was taken to the constitutional court to be discussed over the weekend.{{cite web|url=http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/haber.aspx?id=6407046&tarih=2007-04-26|title=Milletvekili borsası|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-29}}
{{cite web|url=http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/haber.aspx?id=6414928&tarih=2007-04-27|title=Meclis'te 368 kişi var iddiası|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-29}} Later the same day the Turkish Armed Forces released a statement warning that they are a party to this debate and the absolute defender of secularism, and that when necessary they would display their attitudes and actions very clearly. This led to an increase in tensions between the AKP and the Turkish Armed Forces.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6602775.stm|title=Excerpts of Turkish army statement|publisher=BBC|access-date=2007-04-29|date=2007-04-28}}
{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Turkey-Presidency.html?_r=1&oref=login|title=Turkish Government Rebukes Military|publisher=BBC|access-date=2007-04-29}}

File:İst. Miting.JPG

File:Republic Protest second rally Petates 2.jpg

On 29 April a second rally was organized to start at 13:00 local time.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6426626.asp?f=1|title=Laik Türkiye için Çağlayan'a|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-29}} Hundreds of thousands to more than one million gathered for the second protest at Abide-i Hürriyet (Monument of Liberty) in Çağlayan square in Istanbul in support of secularism in Turkey and against the candidacy of Abdullah Gül in the 2007 presidential election.{{cite web|url=http://www.afp.fr/english/news/stories/070429134050.kd2e8gv7.html|title=More than one million rally in Turkey for secularism, democracy|publisher=Agence France-Presse|access-date=2007-04-29}}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6604643.stm|title=Huge rally for Turkish secularism|publisher=BBC|access-date=2007-04-29|date=2007-04-29}}

The rally was organised by Çağdaş Yaşamı Destekleme Derneği (Association in Support of Contemporary Living), Cumhuriyet Kadınları Derneği (Association of Republic's Women), and other women's NGO's.

At 15:22, mobile phone base stations were overloaded. Mobile phones in and around Çağlayan became inoperable.

At 15:30, Tuncay Özkan, owner of Kanaltürk, displayed a video of several statements by the then prime minister Erdoğan to the square full of protesters. These statements were:{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6427743.asp?gid=180|title=Çağlayan'da bayrak denizi|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-29}}

• 1993 - One can't be a secular and a Muslim at the same time! ({{langx|tr|"Hem laik hem Müslüman olunmaz!"}}){{cite web|url=http://webarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/2001/08/21/18523.asp|title=Erdoğan: Millet isterse laiklik tabii ki gidecek|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-29}}
• 1997 - Will this democracy be the goal or the tool? ({{langx|tr|"Bu demokrasi amaç mı olacak, araç mı olacak?"}}){{cite web|url=http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/haber.aspx?id=6305841&yazarid=42|title=Bitlis Kalesi'nde altın mı bulundu|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-29}}
• 2000 - Mr. Öcalan is paying the price for the heads he had taken, not for his ideas. ({{langx|tr|"Sayın Öcalan şu an düşüncelerinin değil aldığı kellelerin hesabını veriyor."}}){{cite web|url=http://www.radikal.com.tr/haber.php?haberno=216709|title=Erdoğan'a inceleme|publisher=Radikal|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-29|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930211845/http://www.radikal.com.tr/haber.php?haberno=216709|archive-date=2007-09-30}}
• :Abdullah Öcalan is the leader of the armed militant group Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union, and the NATO.
• 2005 - The thing that unites us is the "upper identity." ({{langx|tr|"Bizi bir arada tutan şey üst kimliktir."}}){{cite web |url=http://dosyalar.hurriyet.com.tr/almanak2005/details.asp?sid=5&nid=121 |title=Alt kimlik-üst kimlik tartışması |publisher=Hürriyet |language=tr |access-date=2007-04-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070213214205/http://dosyalar.hurriyet.com.tr/almanak2005/details.asp?sid=5&nid=121 |archive-date=2007-02-13 }}
• 2006 - I vouch for Yassin al-Qadi. ({{langx|tr|"Yasin el-Kadı'ya kefilim."}}){{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/ekonomi/5036018.asp?m=1|title=Başbakanlık'tan El Kadı'ya temyiz|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-29}}
• :Yassin al-Qadi was allegedly{{by whom|date=April 2014}} among the people who financially supported September 11, 2001 attacks
• 2006 - Go and take your mother with you! ({{langx|tr|"Ananı da al git!"}}){{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/3922271.asp?m=1&gid=69|title=Terbiyesizlik yapma artistlik yapma lan|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-29}}
• :Comment was directed at a farmer in Mersin asking for government assistance
• 2006 - Your child can also be unemployed, why do we care?! ({{langx|tr|"Senin çocuğun da işsiz kalsın n'apalım!"}}){{cite web|url=http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/haber.aspx?id=4149305&tarih=2006-03-26|title=Erdoğan: Sosyal demokrat biziz|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-29}}
• :Comment was directed at an unemployed individual asking for government assistance
• 2007 - Embarked forces of eighty-one provinces... ({{langx|tr|"Seksen bir vilayetten bindirilmiş kıtalar..."}}){{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6350588.asp?m=1|title=Tandoğan'dakiler bindirilmiş kıta|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-29}}
• :Referring to the previous protest in Tandoğan

At 16:00 the speeches ended and the crowds began to disperse. At 16:30 the protests officially ended without incident.

On April 30, the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan told he would address the country amid the crisis over the presidential election that has pitted secularists, including the army, against his Islamist-rooted government.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna18393031|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070502000651/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18393031/|url-status=live|archive-date=2007-05-02|title=Crisis in Turkey as secularists, Islamists face off|publisher=MSNBC|access-date=2007-04-30}}

On May 1 in his public address Prime Minister Erdoğan called for unity. He said: "Unity, togetherness, solidarity, these are the things we need most. We can overcome many problems so long as we treat each other with love,¨ he also said: "Turkey is growing and developing very fast ... We must protect this atmosphere of stability and tranquility,¨{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/04/30/turkey.election.reut/index.html?eref=edition|title=Turkish Prime Minister Erdoğan called for unity.|publisher=CNN|access-date=2007-04-30}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

On May 2 the Constitutional Court of Turkey ruled (9-2) that the first round of the presidential elections as void due to insufficient participation.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6436574.asp?gid=180|title=Anayasa Mahkemesi 367 şart dedi|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-01}} Haşim Kılıç and Sacit Adalı were the only two Constitutional court members who voted against this. Former presidential candidate Abdullah Gül stated that an election should be held as soon as possible and the people should elect the president directly.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/sondakika/6442171.asp?gid=180|title=Gül: Cumhurbaşkanını halk seçmeli|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-01}} Erdoğan announced that there would be an early election on 24 June or 1 July.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6441667.asp?gid=180|title=Erken seçim 24 Haziran veya 1 Temmuz'da|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-01}} Erdoğan said that the constitutional court decision was a bullet to democracy.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6445154.asp?gid=180|title=Erdoğan: Mahkeme kararı demokrasiye kurşundur|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-01}} Late that night Sabih Kanadoğlu, a former justice in Turkish High Court of Appeals, objected the early vote and argued that it was unconstitutional. He also claimed that these attempts to maneuver around the law would lead to further crisis. Kanadoğlu was also the person who pointed out the "367 parliamentarian requirement" law.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6444423.asp?gid=180|title=Kanadoğlu'ndan yeni bomba|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-01}} A new controversy arose with the approaching end of term of the current president Sezer on 16 May. Speaker of the Parliament Bülent Arınç stated that the current president "would have to unfortunately retire" which would make Arınç the proxy president until a president is elected. However lawmakers argue that the current president would continue to serve until a replacement is elected.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6441783.asp?gid=180|title=Yeni tartışma: Cumhurbaşkanlığı görevini kim yürütecek?|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-01}}

On May 3 Turkey's Parliament moved up elections to July 22, 2007, after the Islamic-rooted ruling party and its secular opposition agreed that an early ballot was the only way out of their standoff over political Islam.{{cite web|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20070503-0413-turkey-elections.html|title=Turkey's Parliament approves early elections to settle debate on political Islam|work=The San Diego Union-Tribune|access-date=2007-05-03}}{{cite web|url=http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/haber.aspx?id=6451365&tarih=2007-05-03|title=Seçim tarihi 22 Temmuz|language=tr|publisher=Hürriyet|access-date=2007-05-12}}

On May 4 the election calendar for the early election has been put forward. A total of 21 political parties have registered to run for the election.{{cite web|url=http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/haber.aspx?id=6452356&tarih=2007-05-04|title=Seçime 21 siyasi parti katılacak|language=tr|publisher=Hürriyet|access-date=2007-05-12}} A CNN International QuickVote resulted in 24% Yes vs 76% No on a question whether or not the Turkish democracy was hurt by the warning of the Turkish military.{{cite web|url=http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/haber.aspx?id=6460560&tarih=2007-05-04|title=Askerin uyarısı Türk demokrasisini etkiledi mi|language=tr, en|publisher=Hürriyet|access-date=2007-05-12}}

File:Republic protest Manisa3.jpg

On May 5 two rallies took place consecutively in Manisa and in Çanakkale with tens of thousands of participants reported at each event.{{Citation|title=Manisa ve Çanakkale coştu! |publisher=SKYTURK |url=http://www.skyturk.tv/news.jsp?newsId=64828&c=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070620024949/http://www.skyturk.tv/news.jsp?newsId=64828&c=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-06-20 |access-date=2007-05-05 }}

The rally in Manisa started at 10:00 local time in Sultan square. Manisa is the hometown of Bülent Arınç member of AKP and current speaker of the Turkish parliament.{{cite web|url=http://www.milliyet.com.tr/2007/05/04/guncel/axgun01.html |title=Saylan: Manisa mitingi önemli|publisher=Milliyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-04}}

The rally in Çanakkale started at 13:30 with an estimated participation of 25,000 people. A contingent of 400 police officers watched over the crowd.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6462629.asp?gid=180|title=3 miting tek mesaj|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-05}}

On 6 May Gül announced that he was withdrawing his candidacy right after a second vote which also failed because the parliamentary session did not achieve the 367-member quorum.

On 7 May an amendment to the Turkish constitution, allowing the president to be elected directly by the people rather than by a parliamentary vote, was passed by 350 votes to 56.{{cite web|url=http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/haber.aspx?id=6475566&tarih=2007-05-07|title=Cumhurbaşkanı seçimini değiştiren 4. maddeye onay|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-11}} Founder of Borusan Holding Asım Kocabıyık stated that if the AKP gained 50% popular support in the upcoming general elections the country would be lost.{{cite web|url=http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/haber.aspx?id=6469984&tarih=2007-05-07|title=Eğer AKP'nin desteği yüzde 50'yi bulduysa memleket kayboldu demektir|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-11}}

On 8 May a request by the Young Party ({{langx|tr|Genç Parti}}) to move the date for the early election to an earlier date of 22 June was declined.{{cite web|url=http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/haber.aspx?id=6476526&tarih=2007-05-08|title='24 Haziran'da seçim'e jet ret|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-11}}

On 9 May president Sezer implied that he would veto amendments to the Turkish constitution, stating that the amendments had been passed at a very heated time.{{cite web|url=http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/haber.aspx?id=6486078&tarih=2007-05-09|title=Sezer halkın seçmesine sıcak bakmıyor|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-12}} The European Union raised a similar objection.{{cite web|url=http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/haber.aspx?id=6479285&tarih=2007-05-08|title=TÜSİAD'dan sonra AB de değişikliğe karşı çıktı|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-12}} Foreign (non-Turkish) press also reported the expectation of a presidential veto on the AKP's recent amendments to the Turkish constitution.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/dunya/6496990.asp?gid=200|title=Dış basından 'veto' beklentisi|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-11}}

On 10 May further amendments to the Turkish constitution were officially passed by parliament, 376 to 1. According to the amendments, general elections will be carried out every four years rather than five. The president will now serve a maximum of two five-year terms instead of an unrestricted number of seven-year terms. The president will now be elected by the people rather than the parliament. President Sezer has 15 days to review the amendments and decide whether or not to veto and return the amendments to the parliament.{{cite web|url=http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/haber.aspx?id=6494076&tarih=2007-05-10|title=376 oyla Sezer'de|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-12}}

On 11 May when asked about the amendments to the Turkish constitution, which now allow the president to be elected directly by the people rather than by a parliamentary vote, Gül announced that his candidacy is ongoing, despite stating on 6 May that he had withdrawn his candidacy.{{cite web|url=http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/haber.aspx?id=6466839&tarih=2007-05-06|title=Gül adaylıktan çekildi|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6497246.asp?gid=180|title=Gül: Adaylığımız devam ediyor|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-11}} YÖK president Dr. Erdoğan Teziç, who survived an assassination attempt on 25 April 2007 criticized the AKP heavily, stating that they do not just seek political power but also increased government power and also are trying to use YÖK to this end.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6499707.asp?gid=180|title=YÖK'ten AKP'ye ağır suçlama|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-11}}

On 12 May a bomb placed on a bicycle was detonated in a market in İzmir wounding fifteen people just a day before the scheduled "republic protest" in the city. One of the wounded was in a critical condition and later died in the hospital while most of the others were lightly wounded and were released from the hospital the same day. No one claimed responsibility for the bombing.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6501217.asp?gid=180|title=İzmir'de patlama|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-12}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6649391.stm|title=Deadly bombing hits Izmir market|publisher=BBC|access-date=2007-05-12|date=2007-05-12}} A second abandoned bicycle caused some panic but it was later determined that it was harmless.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6507009.asp?gid=180|title=Bornova'da 2'nci bomba paniğinden kazak çıktı|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-13}}

File:Protect Your Republic Protest agun1.JPGs]]

File:Protect Your Republic Protest İzmir3.JPG

On May 13 a fifth rally took place in Gündoğdu square, İzmir. Reportedly over one million people gathered in İzmir for the rally to demand their country remain a secular state, stepping up pressure on the Islamist-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP) government before July elections. The municipal harbor officials confirmed that just the number of citizens traveling by public ferry to the event site numbered over 350,000.{{cite web|url=http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/international/ticker/detail/Turks_protest_ahead_of_early_elections.html?siteSect=143&sid=7813908&cKey=1179061645000 |title=Turks protest ahead of early elections |publisher=Swissinfo |access-date=2007-05-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930222218/http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/international/ticker/detail/Turks_protest_ahead_of_early_elections.html?siteSect=143&sid=7813908&cKey=1179061645000 |archive-date=2007-09-30 }}{{Cite web|title=İzmir'de Cumhuriyet mitingine rekor katılım|url=http://www.ntvmsnbc.com/news/407811.asp#storyContinues|publisher=ntvmsnbc|access-date=2007-05-13}}

Leaders of the three leftist parties, namely Deniz Baykal of the CHP, Zeki Sezer of DSP, and Murat Karayalçın of SHP were also among the demonstrators.{{cite web|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=111130|title=Heart of politics beats in rallies ahead of elections|publisher=Today's Zaman|access-date=2007-05-14|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930211106/http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=111130|archive-date=2007-09-30}}

Security for the event was tightened with 5,000 police officers watching over the rally.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/6495436.asp?gid=180|title=İzmir rekor bekliyor|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-11}}

• [We demand] neither sharia, nor a coup, but a totally independent Turkey. ({{langx|tr|Ne şeriat ne darbe, tam bağımsız Türkiye.}}){{cite web|url=http://www.milliyet.com.tr/2007/04/30/son/sondun10.asp|title=Dünya İstanbul'daki tarihi mitingi konuşuyor... İşte başlıklar|publisher=Milliyet|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-30}}
• :Referring to the statement by the Turkish Armed Forces with "coup" reference.
• :Referring to the roots of Erdoğan and Gül with "sharia" reference
• Turkey is secular, and it will remain secular! ({{langx|tr|Türkiye laiktir, laik kalacak!}})
• We want no ABD-ullah as president! ({{langx|tr|ABD-ullah'ı cumhurbaşkanı istemiyoruz!}}){{cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/05/04/opinion/edakyol.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070507110451/http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/05/04/opinion/edakyol.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-05-07|title=The threat is secular fundamentalism|publisher=International Herald Tribune|access-date=2007-05-04}}
• :ABD ({{langx|tr|Amerika Birleşık Devletleri}}) is Turkish abbreviation of the United States and hence a pun: USA-ullah
• Cabinet, resign! ({{langx|tr|Hükümet istifa!}})
• Neither the USA, nor the EU. Totally independent Turkey! ({{langx|tr|Ne ABD, ne AB. Tam bağımsız Türkiye!}})
• :ABD ({{langx|tr|Amerika Birleşık Devletleri}}) is Turkish abbreviation of the United States
• :AB ({{langx|tr|Avrupa Birliği}}) is Turkish abbreviation of the European Union
• :The phrase "Totally independent Turkey" was a frequently used slogan by leftist student groups during the turmoil between 1968 and 1980.{{Citation needed|date=May 2007}}
• The roads to Çankaya are closed to sharia. ({{langx|tr|Çankaya'nın yolları, şeriata kapalı.}})
• :Referring to where the presidential palace is located in Çankaya, Ankara
• Father, rest in peace, we are here. ({{langx|tr|Atam, rahat uyu, biz buradayız.}}) {{cite web|url=http://www.radikal.com.tr/haber.php?haberno=218469|title=Erdoğan'a büyük uyarı|publisher=Radikal|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-30|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070418152212/http://www.radikal.com.tr/haber.php?haberno=218469|archive-date=2007-04-18}}
• :Referring to Atatürk as "Father"
• We don't want an imam in Çankaya. ({{langx|tr|Çankaya'da imam istemiyoruz.}})
• :Referring to the background of Erdoğan
• Tayyip take a look at us, count how many of us there are! ({{langx|tr|Tayyip baksana, kaç kişiyiz saysana!}})'' {{cite web|url=http://www.haber1.com/haber.asp?id=149677|title=Miting'de sıkı güvenlik|publisher=Haber1|language=tr|access-date=2007-04-30}}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• :Referring to the disdainful statements of Erdoğan after the first protest "Goodness gracious, they're talking about millions" ({{langx|tr|Aman yarabbi, milyonlar falan}})
• Turkey sobered up and the imam passed out! ({{langx|tr|Türkiye ayıldı, imam bayıldı!}}){{cite web|url=http://www.radikal.com.tr/haber.php?haberno=219902&tarih=30/04/2007|title=İstanbul dev bir miting alanına döndü|publisher=Radikal|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-02|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930201815/http://www.radikal.com.tr/haber.php?haberno=219902&tarih=30%2F04%2F2007|archive-date=2007-09-30}}
• :Seemingly referring to Erdoğan,{{cite web|url= http://www.irenbe.com.tr/dergi/?op=alanv&olay=7&ID=273&PHPSESSID=ad7ea038e0034f286fbf9cd7c874f11f|title=Neşter programına imam sansürü|publisher=Özel irenbe dergi|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-02}} and as a pun to imam bayıldı.
• Even Edison regrets it! ({{langx|tr|Edison bile pişman!}}) {{cite web|url=http://www.ortadogugazetesi.net/habergoster.asp?id=7034|title=Yüzbinler alana sığmadı|publisher=Ortadoğu Gazetesi|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-02|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929110016/http://www.ortadogugazetesi.net/habergoster.asp?id=7034|archive-date=2007-09-29}}
• :Referring to the emblem of the Justice and Development Party, which is an image of a lightbulb
• As the sun rises, lightbulbs dim. ({{langx|tr|Güneş doğunca, ampüller söner.}})
• :Referring to the emblem of the Justice and Development Party, which is an image of a lightbulb
• Buy Tayyip, get Aydın Doğan for free! ({{langx|tr|Tayyip'i alana, Aydın Doğan bedava!}}) {{cite web|url=http://www.evrensel.net/haber.php?haber_id=9086|title=İstanbul 'darbe ve şeriata hayır' dedi!|publisher=Günlük Evrensel Gazetesi|language=tr|access-date=2007-05-02|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927012534/http://www.evrensel.net/haber.php?haber_id=9086|archive-date=2007-09-27}}
• :Referring to the Turkish media's lack of coverage of the Tandoğan rally. Media magnate Aydın Doğan's holding company owns 3 major news channels, including CNN Türk, and 5 major newspapers
• The Islamic call to prayer, the peal of church bells, and the ceremony of the synagogue are all listened to with respect in this city. ({{langx|tr|Ezan seslerinin, kilise çanlarının, sinagog ayinlerinin saygıyla dinlendiği şehir}}) {{cite web|url= http://www.haberturk.com/haber.asp?id=23051&cat=110&dt=2007/05/13|title= İzmir 'şeriata hayır' dedi! |publisher=Haber Türk}}
• :Referring to the implied 'infidel İzmir' slur by Erdoğan.
• We came with our mother, where are you? ({{langx|tr|Annemizle geldik, neredesin?}}){{cite web|url=http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=73103|title=A million secular messages from 'Infidel' İzmir|publisher=Turkish Daily News|access-date=2007-05-14|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930155449/http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=73103|archive-date=2007-09-30}}
• :Referring to both the fact that İzmir's Gündoğdu rally was held on Mother's Day and also the derogatory comment made by Erdoğan to a farmer in Mersin seeking government aid. ({{langx|tr|"Ananı da al git"}}) A particular message in that context was addressed by demonstrators from İzmir district of Karşıyaka brandishing a photograph of Atatürk's mother Zübeyde Hanım, who is buried in Karşıyaka .{{cite web|url=http://fotogaleri.hurriyet.com.tr/Resimler.aspx?gr=9&g=UlqrbvjdW8TGrZEiEOaW1jWg6HSLz2WUdUe6UR%2f6%2fMLHwvJ1UaZwW8hBRRGWJhhRkVIgZ27Zzd%2baXieT4IWqauu4XYYufBM2&i=65&s#pagenumbers|title=İzmir'de Cumhuriyet coşkusu|language=tr|publisher=Hürriyet|access-date=2007-05-14}}

• Gezi Park protests
• Secularism in Turkey
• 2007 Turkish presidential election
• 2007 Turkish general election
• 2002 Turkish general election

{{Reflist}}

{{commons | Republic Protests}}

{{Wikinews|Pro-secular Turks rally against Erdogan's possible presidential candidacy | Turkey's governing party names Abdullah Gül as presidential candidate | Protests in Turkey over Presidential candidate | AKP calls for early general election in Turkey}}

• {{cite web |url=http://www.cumhuriyetinesahipcik.com |title=Cumhuriyetine Sahip Çık |access-date=2007-04-15 |language=tr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070317122439/http://www.cumhuriyetinesahipcik.com/ |archive-date=2007-03-17 }} - unofficial website
• {{cite web|url=http://www.add.org.tr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=977&Itemid=1|title=Opening speech by the organizing committee spokesman|access-date=2007-04-16|language=tr}}
• Photo gallery of the 14 April protests in Tandoğan square, Ankara
• {{cite web|url=http://fotogaleri.hurriyet.com.tr/Resimler.aspx?gr=9&s=1&g=UlqrbvjdW8TGrZEiEOaW1jWg6HSLz2WUdUe6UR%2f6%2fMKLrq72e6wJw3Z1GGsDKMa9atbLyAIbHkm7sNKU8%2fUxq%2bvCn1DWdHxt&i=70|title=Ankara'da Cumhuriyet mitingi|access-date=2007-05-12|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr}}
• Photo gallery of the 29 April protests in Çağlayan square, Istanbul
• {{cite web|url=http://fotogaleri.hurriyet.com.tr/Resimler.aspx?gr=9&s=1&g=UlqrbvjdW8TGrZEiEOaW1jWg6HSLz2WUdUe6UR%2f6%2fMLTu3UYO1zYyFqev3hAZQXhtEUgof%2fBSFNiZ%2fCMuFzD0nmTtvKrdPJP6uaEXJzWIc8shRa4cN%2bx3w%3d%3d&i=60 | title=Pankartların dilinden Çağlayan Mitingi|access-date=2007-05-12|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr}}
• {{cite web|url=http://fotogaleri.hurriyet.com.tr/Resimler.aspx?gr=9&g=UlqrbvjdW8TGrZEiEOaW1jWg6HSLz2WUdUe6UR%2f6%2fMKA7iZVaeIJZw4L4b9u9NifDUKylm%2fUzzUtFpprnAwNf%2ft24Fw%2b7i%2bSYysa%2fSRe1bsWWIaSGWak98NqRhPUULjM&i=0&s#pagenumbers|title=Dünya basınının gözünden Çağlayan mitingi|access-date=2007-05-12|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr}}
• {{cite web|url=http://fotogaleri.hurriyet.com.tr/Resimler.aspx?gr=9&s=1&g=UlqrbvjdW8TGrZEiEOaW1jWg6HSLz2WUdUe6UR%2f6%2fMLG5ATczZnj%2f6XzfcX%2bd6o%2b&i=30|title=miting2 | access-date=2007-05-12 | publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr}}
• {{cite web|url=http://fotogaleri.hurriyet.com.tr/Resimler.aspx?gr=9&g=UlqrbvjdW8TGrZEiEOaW1jWg6HSLz2WUdUe6UR%2f6%2fMJWzwDepiHtt6fTGXnFkx2SYt2kRhbv7fTteMwquDfymK5CGn1BIhOn&i=0&s#pagenumbers|title=Çağlayan'da bayrak denizi|access-date=2007-05-12|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr}}
• Photo gallery of the 13 May protests in Gündoğdu square, İzmir
• {{cite web|url=http://fotogaleri.hurriyet.com.tr/Resimler.aspx?gr=9&s=1&g=UlqrbvjdW8TGrZEiEOaW1jWg6HSLz2WUdUe6UR%2f6%2fMLHwvJ1UaZwW8hBRRGWJhhRkVIgZ27Zzd%2baXieT4IWqauu4XYYufBM2&i=0|title=İzmir'de Cumhuriyet coşkusu|access-date=2007-05-13|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr}}
• {{cite web|url=http://fotogaleri.hurriyet.com.tr/Resimler.aspx?gr=9&s=1&g=UlqrbvjdW8TGrZEiEOaW1jWg6HSLz2WUdUe6UR%2f6%2fMKQDXtO7mPalqK%2foImJRZerC2UV4I9cvmcmUrOXihi6Pf%2bkOx1qqfLZ&i=0|title=Mitingde pankartlar konuştu|access-date=2007-05-13|publisher=Hürriyet|language=tr}}

{{Protests in Turkey}}

Category:2007 in Turkey

Category:2007 protests

Category:Protests in Turkey

Category:Secularism in Turkey

Category:Turkish democracy movements