On this important day, analysts focused on the importance of transforming the Turkish Republic from a “military” one into a “democratic” one while they voiced their hopes for Turkey’s democratization process.Sabah’s Emre Aköz talks about the “military” characteristics of the Turkish Republic and how this republic slid away from the public and its values following the death of the nation’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. He says it is possible to see the public’s alienation from the republic during Republic Day celebrations, while people from every segment of society attended the celebrations during Atatürk’s time, later celebrations were only attended by soldiers and students who put on performances. “Although the military has no direct link with the republican regime, the ‘Republic is equal to the military’ equation has been established over time. This equation was not only set by the military, some pro-military circles also fervently supported it. In this way, the republic has become the regime of certain segments [urban and educated classes as well as the military],” says Aköz. In his view, the only thing which will make the Turkish Republic, which still is upside down, stand on its feet is democratization. “Be a little patient, you will see,” says Aköz, voicing optimism over the democratization process.
Milliyet’s Hasan Cemal focuses on the need for more democratization in Turkey on the 86th Republic Day in the wake of military plans to meddle in politics, as revealed by an army plot. “There is great need for more democracy in Turkey on the 86th anniversary of Republic Day. It is a duty and obligation to bring more democracy and law to the state and let the republic mingle with democracy,” says Cemal.
Looking at the growing reactions over the military’s treacherous plan and increasing calls for the General Staff to punish those behind the preparation of the plan, Star’s Mehmet Altan says Turkey seems to have reached the end of a “military republic” on the 86th anniversary of the republic. He says Turkey can only take steps toward becoming a “democratic republic,” from now and become a model country for the Islamic world, noting that no initiative can succeed before ensuring this is successful. “I hope everyone, including the coup plotters, can see this picture and that we can be transformed into a democratic republic by making the process of change a less costly and more reasonable one,” says Altan.
