Turkish Elections 2011 – Erdogan’s bid for EU membership | Political Tours

Secular or Islamist, Nationalist or Europhile?

As Turkey heads for elections on June 12, political analysts Ekrem Güzeldere and Piotr Zalewski examine the tensions dividing the nation.

May 29 – June 4, 2011.

Cost  £2800.00

Six years after Turkey was granted candidate status for the membership of the European Union, it seems to have hit a rut. A wide-ranging reform process, that gave more rights to minorities, and increased civil liberties is faltering. Opposition to EU membership has grown, and there are visible tensions as the country heads to elections on June 12 between the military, government, judiciary, and an increasingly polarised society.

Led by political analysts, Piotr Zalewski and Ekrem Güzeldere, the visit is the first in a series of ground breaking study-tours launched by Political Tours this year.

The tour covers both Istanbul and Ankara and explores the electoral campaign with academics, journalists, politicians, activists and ordinary people. We examine the AKP’s future direction, as some accuse it of a hidden Islamist agenda. We also study a new rise in nationalism and ask what hope remains for Turkey’s European ambitions?

The briefings and discussion will be interspersed with tours of key institutions, as well as historic sites, not to mention excellent food in some of Turkey’s best inns and restaurants. There will also be the opportunity to witness some of the key political meetings and rallies first-hand.

This tour will number between 8 and 18 persons. If we do not meet the minimum number we may cancel the tour and will give you a full refund.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival Welcome dinner on the Bosporus with introduction to the tour itinerary.

Day 2 An Introduction to Turkish Politics Introductory briefing by a leading political analyst at Khiva Han, Galata Tower Square. “Lost multiculturalism, new multiculturalism” – a guided walk through Galata, visits to an Italian church, Sephardic Synagogue, Genoese administrative buildings, Jewish museum, old workplaces, and fish market. “Democracy and Islam in Turkey” – A discussion with Mustafa Akyol and Sahin Alpay. Dinner in Cihangir with Turkey EU analysts Joost Lagendijk, (a former MEP, now at Sabanci University), and Cengiz Aktar, (a professor at Bahcesehir University): Turkey-EU in 2011.

Day 3 Turkish foreign policy – moving eastward? A panel discussion with leading Turkish commentators. Lunch at Imroz in Nevizade with an introduction to the Tarlabasi district: urban projects and gentrification. Guided Walk through Tarlabasi with Constanze Leitsch, a migration expert. Visit to Kürt Kav, a Kurdish foundation, a Greek Church with Father Dositeos. Meetings with local artisans. Dinner with NGO activists

Day 4 The Kurdish Question in Turkey A discussion with Dilek Kurban and Kemal Kirisci on the Kurds, (Kurban runs the democratization program of Turkey’s biggest think tank, TESEV; Kirisci is professor at the prestigious Bosporus Univeristy). This is followed a visit to Tütün Deposu with Osman Kavala. Kavala is a businessman and one of the most important financial supporters of civil society in Turkey. Walk through Istanbul – Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, the Grand Bazaar, ending at the spice market and Yeni (New) Mosque. Dinner with representatives of different women NGOs. Return by Dolmus (mini-bus) over the Bosporus Bridge.

Day 5 Ankara To Ankara by plane. (Please co-ordinate your flight times with us – It is also possible to take the train, but the journey time is over 5 hours) Meeting with Ufuk Uras in the Turkish parliament. Uras, formerly an independent candidate from Kadiköy-Istanbul, is a member of the pro-Kurdish BDP. Guided visit of parliament and lunch with a guest MP. Guided visit of Anitkabir, Ataturk’s Mausoleum. “Turkish nationalism” – a talk by Tanil Bora. “Human rights in Turkey” – Dinner with Kerem Altiparmak, (human rights centre of Ankara University) and Orhan Kemal Cengiz, (lawyer and founder of the Human Rights Agenda Association, and a journalist for Today’s Zaman)

Day 6 Minorities and European Integration. Morning Visit to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. “The Alevi in Turkey” – discussion with Ali Balkiz, president of the Alevi Federation. (The Alevi are the biggest non-Sunni minority in Turkey). Meetings with the EU Delegation in Ankara. Meeting with Aycan Akdeniz on political affairs, and Sema Kilicr on minority rights and secularism. “Coming to terms with the past,” – Professor Mithat Sancar at Ankara University. Dinner at Mülkiyeliler Birligi with representatives of an EU member-state, followed by a Turkish League football match.

Day 7 Breakfast and Departure for airports.

If you would like to book a tour please fill in the booking form, which can be obtained by clicking the Book Tour button. Or call us on 0843 289 2349 to find out more.

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