Turkey’s government signals extension of state of emergency for the 4th time
As there are only two weeks left before the three months long state of emergency to end in Turkey, Deputy PM Hayati Yazıcı expressed support for its extension, signaling that it will most likely stay in force for longer.
State of emergency was declared last year in response to a failed coup attempt in July. Since then, it has been extended 3 times.
While the main opposition CHP (Republican People’s Party) has called on it to be lifted, the ruling party AKP (Justice and Development Party) appeared to be working to extend it with the support of MHP (Nationalist Movement Party).
Deputy PM’s statements came in response to questions posed on HaberTürk TV.
“No government would want to lead the country under state of emergency but it is a constitutional way of governance. State of emergency has become indispensible in Turkey after it faced the July 15 (coup attempt). It is not something put in force just for the sake of it. It was seen that this struggle (against coup attempt) was not going to be possible to lead under routine working rules. So, Turkey turned to state of emergency. If the conditions that led to presence of the state of emergency regime have disappeared, then, let’s lift the state of emergency. But if you ask me, those conditions have not disappeared yet. This is a significant fight! I hold the view that the state of emergency should be extended in order for effective work to be done!"
Yazıcı also said the 'fight against FETÖ' - the alleged group behind the failed coup - is an 'open-ended fight', requiring them - the government officials - to 'show no tolerance'.