1997 in Turkey

Events in the year 1997 in Turkey. == Parliament == 20th Parliament of Turkey == Incumbents == President – Süleyman Demirel Prime Minister – Necmettin Erbakan (up to 30 June) Mesut Yılmaz (from 30 June) Leader of the opposition – Mesut Yılmaz (up to 30 June) Necmettin Erbakan (from 30 June) == Ruling party and the main opposition == Ruling party Welfare Party (RP) with coalition partner True Path Party (DYP) Motherland Party (ANAP) with coalition partners Democratic Left Party (DSP) and Democrat Turkey Party (DTP) Main opposition Motherland Party (ANAP) (up to 30 June) Welfare Party (RP) (from 30 June) == Cabinet == 54th government of Turkey (up to 30 June) 55th government of Turkey (from 30 June) == Events == 8 January – Democrat Turkey Party was founded by Hüsamettin Cindoruk. 11 January – Prime minister Necmettin Erbakan invited religious order leaders to his Office. This invitation caused political unrest 24 January – Sabotage to Kirkuk–Ceyhan Oil Pipeline 2 February – Beginning of a civil disobedience action 1 minute darkness for a continuous light by turning off the lights every night for 1 minute 28 February – In a meeting of National Security Council the military members of the council asked for a secular administration (This event later on was ironically called post modern coup) 23 April – On children’s day, Tansu Çiller, the vice prime minister, announced that the compulsory education was raised from 5 years to 8 years 15 May – Turkey enters northern Iraq with the stated aim of "supporting KDP actions against the PKK." 16 May – Yaşar Kemal won Peace Prize of the German Book Trade 22 May – Four male and six female Turkish weightlifters won the gold medal in 1997 European Weightlifting Championships 25 May – Galatasaray won the championship of the Turkish football league 21 June – Upon Necmettin Erbakan’s resignation, the president appointed Mesut Yılmaz to form the new government. 25 October – Bus accident in Konya Province 49 deaths 14 December – At the Luxembourg summit, the European Union decided to continue negotiations with Turkey == Deaths == 4 April – Alparslan Türkeş (born 1917), politician 4 May – Esin Engin (born 1945), musician 20 June – Cahit Külebi (born 1917), poet 2 July – Ayhan Songar (born 1926), academic and psychiatrist 26 August – Füreya Koral (born 1910), ceramist 26 December – Cahit Arf (born 1910), mathematician == Gallery == == See also == 1996-97 1.Lig Turkey in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 == References ==