Bülent Ecevit: Difference between revisions
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Ecevit was elected into the [[Turkish Grand National Assembly|Turkish parliament]] for the first time in [[1957]]. In [[1972]], he succeeded [[Ismet Inönü]] as leader of the [[Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi]] (the [[Republican People's Party (Turkey)|Republican People's Party]]) and became [[List of Prime Ministers of Turkey|prime minister]] in a coalition with the National Salvation Party of [[Necmettin Erbakan]]. This government is most noted for ordering a military intervention on [[July 20]], [[1974]], in response to a coup in [[Cyprus]] organised by the Greek military government, dividing the island, uprooting hundreds of thousands of people and setting the stage for the foundation of the breakaway [[Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus]] (a de facto state which is only officially recognised by Turkey). Bülent Ecevit recalls that he learnt for the first time of the existence of [[Gladio]], a secret "[[stay-behind]]" NATO army, in 1974, and has suspected "Counter-Guerilla", the Turkish branch of Gladio, of being responsible of the [[May 1]], [[1977]] Taksim Square massacre in Istanbul, during which snipers shot on a protest rally of 500,000 citizens, killing 38 and injuring hundreds. |
Ecevit was elected into the [[Turkish Grand National Assembly|Turkish parliament]] for the first time in [[1957]]. In [[1972]], he succeeded [[Ismet Inönü]] as leader of the [[Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi]] (the [[Republican People's Party (Turkey)|Republican People's Party]]) and became [[List of Prime Ministers of Turkey|prime minister]] in a coalition with the National Salvation Party of [[Necmettin Erbakan]]. This government is most noted for ordering a military intervention on [[July 20]], [[1974]], in response to a coup in [[Cyprus]] organised by the Greek military government, dividing the island, uprooting hundreds of thousands of people and setting the stage for the foundation of the breakaway [[Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus]] (a de facto state which is only officially recognised by Turkey). Bülent Ecevit recalls that he learnt for the first time of the existence of [[Gladio]], a secret "[[stay-behind]]" NATO army, in 1974, and has suspected "Counter-Guerilla", the Turkish branch of Gladio, of being responsible of the [[May 1]], [[1977]] Taksim Square massacre in Istanbul, during which snipers shot on a protest rally of 500,000 citizens, killing 38 and injuring hundreds. |
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Following the [[September 12]], [[1980]], [[Military coup in Turkey, 1980|military coup]] led by General [[Kenan Evren]], Ecevit was incarcerated and was suspended from active politics for life. A referendum in [[1987]] lifted his ban from politics, and he became the chairman of the [[Demokratik Sol Parti]] (Democratic Left Party) |
Following the [[September 12]], [[1980]], [[Military coup in Turkey, 1980|military coup]] led by General [[Kenan Evren]], Ecevit was incarcerated and was suspended from active politics for life. A referendum in [[1987]] lifted his ban from politics, and he became the chairman of the [[Demokratik Sol Parti]] (Democratic Left Party) inheriting the position from his wife, [[Rahşan Ecevit]]. His party failed to enter the National Assembly in 1987 national elections, and in spite of passing the electoral barrier in [[1991]] managed to win only 7 seats in the parliament. DSP's fortunes changed after [[1995]]elections, securing the party 75 seats (out of 550). After two short lived governments (formed by [[Mesut Yılmaz]] and Necmettin Erbakan respectively) Ecevit became a deputy prime minister under the last government of Mesut Yılmaz. In 1998 he was briefly caretaker Prime Minister in the run-up to the [[1999]] general elections. In those elections, Ecevit's party gained the largest number of seats, leading to Ecevit's final stint as Prime Minister in a coalition with the [[Anavatan Partisi]] (Motherland Party) of Mesut Yilmaz and the [[Nationalist Movement Party|Milliyetçi Hareket Partisi]] (Nationalist Movement Party) of [[Devlet Bahçeli]]. |
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Ecevit's government undertook a number of reforms aimed at stabilizing the Turkish economy in preparation for accession negotiations with the European Union. However, the short-term economic pain brought on by the reforms caused rifts within his coalition and party, and eventually forced new elections in 2002. Ecevit, at this time visibly frail, was unsuccessful in leading his party back into the National Assembly. Ecevit subsequently retired from active politics in 2004. |
Ecevit's government undertook a number of reforms aimed at stabilizing the Turkish economy in preparation for accession negotiations with the European Union. However, the short-term economic pain brought on by the reforms caused rifts within his coalition and party, and eventually forced new elections in 2002. Ecevit, at this time visibly frail, was unsuccessful in leading his party back into the National Assembly. Ecevit subsequently retired from active politics in 2004. |
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Revision as of 15:49, 6 November 2006
Bülent Ecevit | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Prime Minister of Turkey | |
| In office 1974, 1977, 1978 – 1979, 1999-2002 | |
| Preceded by | Naim Talu, Süleyman Demirel, Mesut Yılmaz |
| Succeeded by | Sadi Irmak, Süleyman Demirel, Abdullah Gül |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 May 1925 Istanbul |
| Died | 5 November 2006 Ankara |
| Political party | DSP, CHP |
Mustafa Bülent Ecevit (May 28, 1925–November 5, 2006), was a Turkish politician and also a poet, writer and journalist.
Personal life
Born in Istanbul, Ecevit's father was Ahmet Fahri Ecevit who was born in Kastamonu and was professor of forensic medicine in Ankara University. Later Ahmet Fahri has started his political life as CHP's Kastamonu deputy between 1943-1950. His mother, Fatma Nazlı, was born in Istanbul and was a painter. In 1944, Ecevit graduated from Robert College and started working as translater in Press Publication Head Office (Basın Yayın Genel Müdürlüğü). He has married with his classmate Rahşan Ecevit in 1946.
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Political life
Ecevit was elected into the Turkish parliament for the first time in 1957. In 1972, he succeeded Ismet Inönü as leader of the Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi (the Republican People's Party) and became prime minister in a coalition with the National Salvation Party of Necmettin Erbakan. This government is most noted for ordering a military intervention on July 20, 1974, in response to a coup in Cyprus organised by the Greek military government, dividing the island, uprooting hundreds of thousands of people and setting the stage for the foundation of the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (a de facto state which is only officially recognised by Turkey). Bülent Ecevit recalls that he learnt for the first time of the existence of Gladio, a secret "stay-behind" NATO army, in 1974, and has suspected "Counter-Guerilla", the Turkish branch of Gladio, of being responsible of the May 1, 1977 Taksim Square massacre in Istanbul, during which snipers shot on a protest rally of 500,000 citizens, killing 38 and injuring hundreds.
Following the September 12, 1980, military coup led by General Kenan Evren, Ecevit was incarcerated and was suspended from active politics for life. A referendum in 1987 lifted his ban from politics, and he became the chairman of the Demokratik Sol Parti (Democratic Left Party) inheriting the position from his wife, Rahşan Ecevit. His party failed to enter the National Assembly in 1987 national elections, and in spite of passing the electoral barrier in 1991 managed to win only 7 seats in the parliament. DSP's fortunes changed after 1995elections, securing the party 75 seats (out of 550). After two short lived governments (formed by Mesut Yılmaz and Necmettin Erbakan respectively) Ecevit became a deputy prime minister under the last government of Mesut Yılmaz. In 1998 he was briefly caretaker Prime Minister in the run-up to the 1999 general elections. In those elections, Ecevit's party gained the largest number of seats, leading to Ecevit's final stint as Prime Minister in a coalition with the Anavatan Partisi (Motherland Party) of Mesut Yilmaz and the Milliyetçi Hareket Partisi (Nationalist Movement Party) of Devlet Bahçeli.
Ecevit's government undertook a number of reforms aimed at stabilizing the Turkish economy in preparation for accession negotiations with the European Union. However, the short-term economic pain brought on by the reforms caused rifts within his coalition and party, and eventually forced new elections in 2002. Ecevit, at this time visibly frail, was unsuccessful in leading his party back into the National Assembly. Ecevit subsequently retired from active politics in 2004.
Bülent Ecevit was not only a politician but a poet and writer. He studied Sanskrit, Bengali, and English and translated works by Rabindranath Tagore, T. S. Eliot, and Bernard Lewis into Turkish. Ecevit, who studied at American Robert College, the most prestigious high school in Istanbul, was successful in these literary endeavors despite never having graduated from a university, a fact that also prevented him from ever running for President of the Turkish Republic.
Ecevit was hospitalized at the Gülhane Military Hospital in Ankara and placed in a medically induced coma after suffering a stroke on May 19, 2006.[1] He died on November 5, 2006 at 20:40 (UTC) due to failure respiration without regaining consciousness.
Works
Poetry Books
- Işığı Taştan Oydum (I Carved Light Out Of Stone) (1978)
- El Ele Büyüttük Sevgiyi (We Raised Love Hand In Hand) (1997)
Political Books
- Ortanın Solu (Left of the Center) (1966)
- Bu Düzen Değişmelidir (This Order Should Changed) (1968)
- Atatürk ve Devrimcilik (Ataturk and Revolutionism) (1970)
- Kurultaylar ve Sonrası (Party Congresses and After) (1972)
- Demokratik Sol ve Hükümet Bunalımı (Democratic Left and Government Crisis) (1974)
- Demokratik Solda Temel Kavramlar ve Sorunlar (Basic Definitons and Problems in Democratic Left) (1975)
- Dış Politika (Foreign Policy) (1975)
- Dünya-Türkiye-Milliyetçilik (World-Turkey-Nationalism) (1975)
- Toplum-Siyaset-Yönetim (Society-Politics-Government) (1975)
- İşçi-Köylü El Ele (Workers and Peasants Hand in Hand) (1976)
- Türkiye / 1965-1975 (Turkey / 1965-1975) (1976)
- Umut Yılı: 1977 (Year of Hope: 1977) (1977)
References
External links
- openTurkey Special Section: Bülent Ecevit, bio, photos, videos
- Biography of Ecevit
- Democratic Left Party
