That year, Turkey held a referendum amending 26 articles of the Constitution, primarily concerning the structure of the higher judiciary. The outcome of the referendum, which would continue to be debated for years to come, was a "yes” vote.
Although the military's role in politics had been diminished on paper, the question lingered: Were we truly moving toward democracy?
What about Turkey’s progress toward full EU membership and adherence to the Copenhagen criteria?
Five years into accession negotiations, this was the central issue addressed at a conference, with the relevant minister also in attendance.
After all, while libertarian and pro-European winds were blowing and Istanbul enjoyed its status as the European Capital of Culture, there was also a burgeoning flirtation with Russia, extending beyond the construction of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant.
1 – A significant percentage of the public in Turkey expressed that they would not prefer a homosexual neighbour, and the country continued to struggle with discrimination despite progress in the civil sphere. Well, what kinds of solutions have other countries developed to combat discrimination? (hbs) 2 – After their Istanbul concert, Bono from U2 met with Hanım Tosun, one of the Saturday Mothers, for whom they had made a song about her disappeared husband. (hbs) 3 – One of the covers of Express magazine that year summarized the agenda: Criticism of the stance taken by part of the left in the referendum on constitutional amendments, the publication of leaked documents by Wikileaks revealing US war crimes in Iraq, the construction sector in Turkey growing rampantly at the expense of urban and environmental rights, gentrification projects, and ongoing debates within the left. Almost all of these issues were to shape the following years. (Express) 4 – Workers and laborers are back in Taksim Square after 30 years, with Timur Selçuk on stage. However, this joy will last only three years, as Taksim Square will once again become a banned area. (GazetaPrawna.pl) 5 – Artists protest on Istiklal Street against the demolition of Emek Movie Theatre on 17 April 2010. The long resistance of the culture and art world to protect this place of memory would face intense police violence in 2013 and Emek would be demolished. (Muhsin Akgün)