AKP base divided on Turkey's vote to join coalition
Pro-government commentators have raised questions over Turkey’s participation in a US-led coalition, while the latest polls show Turks are split on what their country's role should be in fighting the Islamic state.
A public opinion survey by the Turkish Metropoll polling company reveals that although an overwhelming majority of Turks are opposed to the Islamic State (IS), 52% would still prefer Turkey not get actively involved in the US-led coalition against it.
Ankara, however, is poised to do just that after the government received the mandate it sought from parliament, on Oct. 2, which not only enables the Turkish military to enter Iraq or Syria — if and when it deems necessary — but also allows allied forces to enter Turkey to fight IS.
It was noteworthy that deputies from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), except those that are currently in Mecca for the hajj, should have voted overwhelmingly for the mandate. This contrasts with the situation in 2003 when many AKP deputies voted against a similar bill, submitted by their own government, which would have allowed the United States to use Turkish territory to invade Iraq.
That bill was defeated by one vote as a result of the negative votes of these deputies. Party whips ensured the AKP was not faced with a similar situation this time, which would have also posed a major embarrassment for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
