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Turkish ruling party warns army
Turkey's army chief (left) is said to have talked to the PM by phone
Turkey's ruling party has sharply criticised an army threat to intervene in politics, saying the military must remain under civilian control.
Cemil Cicek, spokesman for the Islamist-rooted party, was commenting after an unusual statement by the army vowing to defend the secular system.
The army, which led coups in the past, said it was concerned by the party's choice of presidential candidate.
Mr Cicek said any army intervention was "inconceivable in a democratic state".
"The chief of the general staff is answerable to the prime minister," said Mr Cicek, who is also justice minister.
TURKISH ARMY INTERVENTIONS
- Coups in 1960, 1971 and 1980
- Forced out first Islamist prime minister in 1997
Turkey's army chief (left) is said to have talked to the PM by phone
Turkey's ruling party has sharply criticised an army threat to intervene in politics, saying the military must remain under civilian control.
Cemil Cicek, spokesman for the Islamist-rooted party, was commenting after an unusual statement by the army vowing to defend the secular system.
The army, which led coups in the past, said it was concerned by the party's choice of presidential candidate.
Mr Cicek said any army intervention was "inconceivable in a democratic state".
"The chief of the general staff is answerable to the prime minister," said Mr Cicek, who is also justice minister.
TURKISH ARMY INTERVENTIONS
- Coups in 1960, 1971 and 1980
- Forced out first Islamist prime minister in 1997
Well, the very fact that some heads in the military didn't fly because of this kind of proves that there is no civilian control over military. What happens next can only confirm that.
to the EU for saying to the army that it should stay out of this.
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