Comments on: Under the Turkish Constitution, the army is obliged to step in when the democratically-elected government behaves undemocratically

By: Daphne Caruana Galizia

Daphne Caruana Galizia — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 13:01:00 +0000

I see you have missed the fact that thousands of people have been arrested arbitrarily and that threats have been made about using the death penalty.

By: Daphne Caruana Galizia

Daphne Caruana Galizia — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 11:05:00 +0000

In reply to Les Bonbons. Need we go through the same arguments again? Democracy does not mean the majority deciding in favour of lack of democracy. If the majority votes in the equivalent of Adolf Hitler in a free general election, that is not democracy. That is majority rule, which is something else.

By: Les Bonbons

Les Bonbons — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 07:08:00 +0000

President Erdogan is indeed acting like a dictator and I believe he should be removed – but it seems the guy clearly still enjoys the support of his people.

It is pointless having the army (or some of it) try to remove him if the people want him to stay.

By: Julian John Ebejer

Julian John Ebejer — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 13:57:00 +0000

Excellent article which accurately summarises the Turkish situation.

By: Long Lens

Long Lens — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 13:57:00 +0000

You are right about the constitutional role of the Turkish army. However this issue is a delicate one to say the least.

In the past, there were instances where the Turkish army intervened, either through a coup or by threatening one, when politics was not to its liking, and not necessarily to protect democracy.

I am aware of the current state of democracy in Turkey, very much so in fact, but the role of the army in securing democracy is wider than Erdogan or this moment in politics.

I for one would not like to live in a state where democracy and its processes are constantly under the military’s scrutiny and judgement.

In my view the negatives outweigh the positives through such a system.