Celebrities Post about Turkish Election
Whatever happened in Turkey today, know that unchecked media monopolies had a lot to do with it. Think of that the next time you open a paper, turn on the TV, read the web. Don’t just be okay with one or two people (Left OR Right) controlling everything.
- Bilge Ebiri (@BilgeEbiri) June 24, 2018
I’m not very educated on Turkey but I’m trying to imagine a US president letting in 12 million refugees and winning re-election with >50% of the vote.
- Jeremy McLellan (@JeremyMcLellan) June 24, 2018
This photo is amazing, heartwarming and very much sums up the spirit behind the high turnout in Turkish elections. pic.twitter.com/NiLUh4kpfn
- Elif Şafak / Shafak (@Elif_Safak) June 24, 2018
All week BBC has built up Turkish election as if “it’s going to be close”. Either it has zero knowledge of Turkey, Erdogan and what he’s been doing for the last few years or it decided it was a good idea to present a mickey-mouse election as a real thing. Either is worrying.
- Alex Andreou (@sturdyAlex) June 24, 2018
Some celebrities expressed hope before and during the election, including Tolga Çevik (actor/comedian) and Ahmet Ümit (author):
Çok güzel bir gün ve çok daha güzellerinin habercisi olsun Yarın. Ne kadar muhteşem bir ülke,kardeş,dost,Millet olduğumuzu gösterelim. Güzelce,güzellikle, güler yüzle...Birbirimizi anlayarak severek.Sabah errrrrkenden sandık başına.Haydi,cümleten iyi geceler...
- Tolga Cevik (@TolgaCevik) June 23, 2018
Translation: "It's a beautiful day and will be a lot more good news tomorrow. Let us show that we are magnificent as country, brother, friend and nation, beautifully and face to face...understanding each other fondly. Early in the morning, to the polls. Good night"
Demokrasi için, özgürlük için, adalet için, daha güzel bir ülke, daha iyi bir yaşam İçin... #seçim2018 pic.twitter.com/Bp2GWcfgzF
- Ahmet Ümit (@baskomsernevzat) June 24, 2018
Translation: "For democracy, for freedom, for justice, for a beautiful country, for a better life..."
Others remarked on the founding value of secularism, as established by founder of the Turkish republic Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, an issue seen to be at stake in the election, such as singer/actress Gülben Ergen:
"Cumhuriyet, aklı hür ve vicdanı hür nesiller ister" diyen Mustafa Kemal’in bize emanet ettiği ülkemizin eşsiz değerlerini #OyKullanırkenUnutma
- Gülben Ergen (@gulbenergen) June 23, 2018
Translation: "The republic wants generations of individuals with free minds and free consciences," the unique values of our country Mustafa Kemal entrusted to us.
According to official results current president Erdoğan of Turkey has won the snap presidential election which he called. This gives him access, through the referendum he passed last year, of sweeping new presidential powers without previous checks and balances, making this a landmark election and, according to Erdoğan's critics a potential point of no return for the Turkish republic.
Erdoğan's party, AKP has Islamist roots and has been accused of dismantling Turkey's constitutionally mandated secularism. Since the failed coup attempt in 2016 it has been under a state of emergency with 50,000 people arrested without a trial amidst other alleged human rights violations.
Opposition had contested the vote results last night, as well as the legitimacy of the election (with one candidate in prison) though an AKP spokesperson has called it "a celebration of democracy."
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10
Heartbroken, though not surprised. When was the last time your country failed you, ONTD?