Reformist Judge to Be Turkey’s New President

The Turkish parliament Friday elected top judge Ahmet Necdet Sezer to be the country’s next president, raising hopes that the staunch defender of democratic rights will nudge legislators toward reforming laws that curb freedoms.

Sezer, the chief justice of the Constitutional Court, was elected with 330 votes in the 550-member parliament. He will be only the fourth civilian to hold the post of president.

The post is largely ceremonial, but there are hopes that Sezer will help guide Turkey toward democratic reforms that are crucial if the country is to realize its dream of joining the European Union.

“An understanding of democracy has not developed in social and political life, and a tradition of democracy has not been created,” Sezer said at his first news conference after the election. “Democracy and democratic values have to be inserted into our legal system.”

He also spoke of the need for economic reforms, saying that inspection of public spending and a reduction in inflation were necessary “to remedy the disparities in income.”

Sezer takes office for a seven-year term after President Suleyman Demirel steps down May 16.

Sezer, 59, was the government’s nominee for the post, but his name emerged only after the leading political parties were unable to agree on a candidate from parliament.