Study on Turkey warns of cronyism
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Hurriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Şubat 14, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - Corruption scandals and exemption for allied businesses and politicians might add to the inertia caused by March elections, says a report prepared by the Economist Intelligence Unit on Turkey and the ruling government
Both EU ascension talks and the state leaders' ability to govern effectively amid corruption face a "moderate likelihood" of stagnation, according to a report released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), a London-based think tank, on Feb. 11.
The "Turkey Risk" briefing said Turkish refusal to open Cypriot airports as a major hindrance to the progression of EU talks, as well as political ground shifts in Europe, and decreased enthusiasm of Turkish people amid what is seen as European insincerity. Corruption scandals and special exemption for allied businesses and politicians might add to the inertia caused by March elections, and further decrease the government's ability to govern feasibly.
Settlement talks on the future of Cyprus, which has divided Turkish and Greek Cypriots since the 1974 intervention, are slowly warming but the EIU still does not foresee the total resolution that would so strengthen the Turkish bid.
The report also warns of increasing European political opposition to Turkey's ascension. If France continues to advocate for a "privileged partnership" in the place of full membership and if the "Grand Coalition" led by Angela Merkel rids itself of Turkey's main German cheerleader, the left-leaning Social Democratic Party, or SDP, in this year's upcoming elections, then there will be more trouble for Turkey.
Internally, the report focused on how special benefits accorded to politicians and businessmen closely affiliated with the ruling AKP party have not improved significantly since attention to the problem mounted in the late 1990s. The think tank said corruption, although increasingly more debated and theoretically dealt with, would continue to be a major practical impediment until new transparency and anti-bribery legislation can be effectively implemented. Thinly disguised immunity for favored politicians and the suspiciously fast growth of businesses linked to the government Ğ for example the ongoing Çalık holding scandals Ğ are cited as impediments to effective government rule.
With the March local elections fast approaching, the report posits that very little will be done before the reshuffling, but that continuous accusations of corruption coming from the opposing may hurt the AKP, the study said.
The "Turkey Risk" briefing said Turkish refusal to open Cypriot airports as a major hindrance to the progression of EU talks, as well as political ground shifts in Europe, and decreased enthusiasm of Turkish people amid what is seen as European insincerity. Corruption scandals and special exemption for allied businesses and politicians might add to the inertia caused by March elections, and further decrease the government's ability to govern feasibly.
Settlement talks on the future of Cyprus, which has divided Turkish and Greek Cypriots since the 1974 intervention, are slowly warming but the EIU still does not foresee the total resolution that would so strengthen the Turkish bid.
The report also warns of increasing European political opposition to Turkey's ascension. If France continues to advocate for a "privileged partnership" in the place of full membership and if the "Grand Coalition" led by Angela Merkel rids itself of Turkey's main German cheerleader, the left-leaning Social Democratic Party, or SDP, in this year's upcoming elections, then there will be more trouble for Turkey.
Internally, the report focused on how special benefits accorded to politicians and businessmen closely affiliated with the ruling AKP party have not improved significantly since attention to the problem mounted in the late 1990s. The think tank said corruption, although increasingly more debated and theoretically dealt with, would continue to be a major practical impediment until new transparency and anti-bribery legislation can be effectively implemented. Thinly disguised immunity for favored politicians and the suspiciously fast growth of businesses linked to the government Ğ for example the ongoing Çalık holding scandals Ğ are cited as impediments to effective government rule.
With the March local elections fast approaching, the report posits that very little will be done before the reshuffling, but that continuous accusations of corruption coming from the opposing may hurt the AKP, the study said.