Turkey set to extend its state of emergency

TURKEY is set to extend a state of emergency for the sixth time since it was imposed following a failed 2016 coup attempt, prompting concerns that the special powers are pushing the country in an increasingly authoritarian direction.

The state of emergency, declared five days after the coup on July 15 2016, has allowed a massive government crackdown aimed at suspected supporters of US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who Turkey said was behind the insurrection. Mr Gulen has denied any involvement.

The state of emergency has also paved the way for the arrest of other government opponents, including activists, journalists and politicians as well as the closure of media and non-governmental organisations over alleged links to extremist groups.

Most crucially, it has allowed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to rule through decrees, often bypassing parliament, which he has long accused of slowing down his government’s ability to perform.

Among the more than 30 decrees issued since the coup, some have regulated the use of winter tyres, obliged detainees accused of links to extremism to wear uniforms in court, and gave full employment rights to temporary workers.

One vaguely-worded decree granting legal immunity to civilians who helped thwart the coup sparked an outcry amid fears that it would encourage vigilante groups.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of Turkey’s pro-secular main opposition party, accused Mr Erdogan of taking advantage of the failed military coup to trample on democracy and lead a “civilian coup” of his own through his emergency powers.

“What have winter tyres got to do with the state of emergency?” he asked.