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Today's Zaman, Turkey
April 14 2007
Most Turks to vote for Bayrou in France as political landscape
changes
The nearly 500,000 Turks living in France have a growing interest in
the country's upcoming presidential elections. As opposed to their
past indifference to domestic political issues, Turks are now
unusually excited about the elections.
"Who are you going to vote for?" is the cliché question among them
these days. Affected by the growing anti-Turkey campaign in the
country, Turks became more aware of the issues surrounding them. The
Socialist Party, the Turks' favorite in the last decade, is losing
its support base because of its insistence on the recognition of the
so-called Armenian genocide, and central-right candidate François
Bayrou is now the new favorite. Turkish associations are working hard
to encourage Turks to go to the polls. Even religious motives are
being used to ensure French Turks cast their votes. French Religious
Affairs Advisor Ömer Faruk Harman, in his address to the Turks who
participated in an event celebrating the birth of the Prophet
Mohammed, said those who do not vote will have committed a sin.
Recent public surveys indicate that immigrant voters prefer leftist
parties, which have proven traditionally to be more concerned about
the issues of immigrants. Turks have been no exception for a long
time. However, the Socialist Party's (PS) emphasis on the Armenian
"genocide" and its apparent anti-Muslim stance have now distanced
Turks from the party.
Recalling that he previously considered voting for the Socialist
candidate Segolene Royal, statistical engineer Osman Yavuz, 26, says
he has recently changed his mind because of the PS attempt to draft a
bill that would penalize denial of the Armenian "genocide." In an
attempt to protest the Socialists, Yavuz will vote for the rising
star of the central right, François Bayrou, who is known for his
opposition to the bill. Yavuz has never considered voting for
Sarkozy, who he describes as an "authoritarian, manipulative liar and
dangerous man."
Seventy-five percent of the more than 50 Turks we surveyed about
their vote in the upcoming elections note that while they are
traditionally supporters of leftist parties, this time they will vote
for Bayrou. Member of the Goussainville City Council Sevgi Karaman
from the PS, confirming that Turks were "running away" from the
party, notes that the Armenian genocide issue in particular bothers
Turkish voters. Karaman asserts that despite the presence of
different opinions within the party vis-à-vis the Armenian issue, the
party administration is acting under pressure from the Armenian
diaspora in France. Karaman also contends that the party's
indifference to immigrant issues, as reflected in its reluctance and
inability to develop effective policies to address them, is another
reason that is driving Turks away.
Ümit Metin from the Turkish Citizens Assembly (ACORT), a
nongovernmental organization dedicated to the promotion of political
participation among Turkish-French, noting that not only Turks but
also the French have shown interest in Bayrou, attributes the rise of
the conservative candidate to the reactionary electorate who want to
punish Sarkozy. Assuming that Sarkozy will become president if
Sarkozy and Royal qualify for the second round, they simply want to
block Sarkozy by voting for Bayrou. Metin notes that despite some of
its unpleasant policy plans, Turks should still support the PS.
It has been observed that the discussions in France on Turkey's EU
membership have led the Turks to become more concerned and aware of
the issues; however, their participation in the political process is
still in its infancy. Estimates suggest that about 100,000 out of
500,000 Turks in France have dual citizenship. Hamit Bulut, chairman
of the Western Associations Union, an umbrella organization of 10
associations in western France, notes that they are waging campaigns
to encourage Turks to exercise their democratic rights. Noting that
there are 14,000 Turks with the right to cast a vote in their
district, Bulut recalls only 5,000 have registered as voters. But
this is actually a pretty amazing figure, especially considering that
it was about 800 in the past.
In reference to the growing political awareness among the Turks in
France, the chairman of Strasbourg-based Hybrid Culture Youth Council
(COJEP), Ali Gedikoðlu asserts that Turkish politicians will be
effective in France's domestic political landscape in the years
ahead.
Turkey's Ambassador to France Osman Korutürk, speaking at the
gathering marking the birth of the Prophet Mohammed, described
political participation by the Turks as the best way to contribute to
Turkey and the country in which they are living.
14.04.2007
ALÝ ÝHSAN AYDIN PARIS
April 14 2007
Most Turks to vote for Bayrou in France as political landscape
changes
The nearly 500,000 Turks living in France have a growing interest in
the country's upcoming presidential elections. As opposed to their
past indifference to domestic political issues, Turks are now
unusually excited about the elections.
"Who are you going to vote for?" is the cliché question among them
these days. Affected by the growing anti-Turkey campaign in the
country, Turks became more aware of the issues surrounding them. The
Socialist Party, the Turks' favorite in the last decade, is losing
its support base because of its insistence on the recognition of the
so-called Armenian genocide, and central-right candidate François
Bayrou is now the new favorite. Turkish associations are working hard
to encourage Turks to go to the polls. Even religious motives are
being used to ensure French Turks cast their votes. French Religious
Affairs Advisor Ömer Faruk Harman, in his address to the Turks who
participated in an event celebrating the birth of the Prophet
Mohammed, said those who do not vote will have committed a sin.
Recent public surveys indicate that immigrant voters prefer leftist
parties, which have proven traditionally to be more concerned about
the issues of immigrants. Turks have been no exception for a long
time. However, the Socialist Party's (PS) emphasis on the Armenian
"genocide" and its apparent anti-Muslim stance have now distanced
Turks from the party.
Recalling that he previously considered voting for the Socialist
candidate Segolene Royal, statistical engineer Osman Yavuz, 26, says
he has recently changed his mind because of the PS attempt to draft a
bill that would penalize denial of the Armenian "genocide." In an
attempt to protest the Socialists, Yavuz will vote for the rising
star of the central right, François Bayrou, who is known for his
opposition to the bill. Yavuz has never considered voting for
Sarkozy, who he describes as an "authoritarian, manipulative liar and
dangerous man."
Seventy-five percent of the more than 50 Turks we surveyed about
their vote in the upcoming elections note that while they are
traditionally supporters of leftist parties, this time they will vote
for Bayrou. Member of the Goussainville City Council Sevgi Karaman
from the PS, confirming that Turks were "running away" from the
party, notes that the Armenian genocide issue in particular bothers
Turkish voters. Karaman asserts that despite the presence of
different opinions within the party vis-à-vis the Armenian issue, the
party administration is acting under pressure from the Armenian
diaspora in France. Karaman also contends that the party's
indifference to immigrant issues, as reflected in its reluctance and
inability to develop effective policies to address them, is another
reason that is driving Turks away.
Ümit Metin from the Turkish Citizens Assembly (ACORT), a
nongovernmental organization dedicated to the promotion of political
participation among Turkish-French, noting that not only Turks but
also the French have shown interest in Bayrou, attributes the rise of
the conservative candidate to the reactionary electorate who want to
punish Sarkozy. Assuming that Sarkozy will become president if
Sarkozy and Royal qualify for the second round, they simply want to
block Sarkozy by voting for Bayrou. Metin notes that despite some of
its unpleasant policy plans, Turks should still support the PS.
It has been observed that the discussions in France on Turkey's EU
membership have led the Turks to become more concerned and aware of
the issues; however, their participation in the political process is
still in its infancy. Estimates suggest that about 100,000 out of
500,000 Turks in France have dual citizenship. Hamit Bulut, chairman
of the Western Associations Union, an umbrella organization of 10
associations in western France, notes that they are waging campaigns
to encourage Turks to exercise their democratic rights. Noting that
there are 14,000 Turks with the right to cast a vote in their
district, Bulut recalls only 5,000 have registered as voters. But
this is actually a pretty amazing figure, especially considering that
it was about 800 in the past.
In reference to the growing political awareness among the Turks in
France, the chairman of Strasbourg-based Hybrid Culture Youth Council
(COJEP), Ali Gedikoðlu asserts that Turkish politicians will be
effective in France's domestic political landscape in the years
ahead.
Turkey's Ambassador to France Osman Korutürk, speaking at the
gathering marking the birth of the Prophet Mohammed, described
political participation by the Turks as the best way to contribute to
Turkey and the country in which they are living.
14.04.2007
ALÝ ÝHSAN AYDIN PARIS