TURKEY: Second Free, First Fair

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On Turkey's first free election day in 1946, a peasant at the polls picked up two lists—one of Republican People's Party candidates with Ismet Inönü's portrait at the top (for the benefit of illiterates), the other of Democratic Party candidates topped by a picture of Celál Bayar. He solemnly put the Inönü sheet in his breast pocket, saying, "My leader, your place is by my heart," and disdainfully dropped the Bayar sheet and a Democratic Party vote into the ballot box.

Though the Democrats benefited by some such mistakes, the incumbent Republicans got 85% of the votes, many of them acquired by cheating. Next Sunday Turkey will have its second free, and perhaps its first fair election. The Democrats refused to take part until a new law guaranteed them observers at every polling place. The Republicans will probably win again—by a reduced majority.

The leaders, the two chief parties and the platforms are the same as in 1946. Led by deaf, adroit President Inönü, the Republicans are campaigning on Turkey's progress in the 27 straight years they have held power since the late great Kemal Ataürk expelled the last Sultan. Led by sober, intense ex-Premier Bayar, an Atatürk protégé ousted by Inönü in the jockeying after Atatürk's death, the Democrats declare that it is high time for a change.

Both parties agree on Turkey's antiCommunist, pro-West foreign policy.