By 9 pm on Sunday, 29 March, 23 percent of the poll boxes had been opened. At the province municipal council level, the AKP has so far received 41 percent, the CHP 19 percent, the MHP and DTP 7 percent each, and the SP 6 percent. As for mayoral candidates, in Istanbul and Ankara the AKP candidates Topbaş and Gökçek are leading. In Izmir, the CHP’s Kocaoğlu has received most votes so far. In Diyarbakır, the DTP’s Baydemir is leading.

The Prime Minister has annonced a crisis package which involves a three-monthly reduction in certain taxes.

Eight organisations will monitor the local elections on Sunday, 29 March, in order to make sure that they are carried out democratically. Most of the sixteen provinces to be monitored are in the east and southeast of Turkey.

500 children in Istanbul and Ankara were asked about their wishes in a study entitled “Children make demands on local authorities”.

DTP candidate for Sur district mayor, Demirbaş thinks this year's spring festivities hold importance because of upcoming elections. He plans to continue providing multilingual local services, if elected. That was why he was dismissed from office.

According to TİHV chair Önen, recently revealed information shows that a divide had formed at military command by the plans to overthrow the government in 2003-2004. "Now, AKP takes on this futile organization through Ergenekon case."

The former president of the Human Rights Association comments on the coup plans revealed in the media and on the Ergenekon investigation. He remembers anticipating tensions in 2003 and 2004, but not a military coup.

300 construction workers working on the new Galatasaray football stadium have not been paid for three months. After refusing to work, they have been dismissed. Lawyer Uluok accuses the football club of being part of this injustice.

Journalist Bila claimed in the Milliyet newspaper today that former Chiefs of Staff Özkök and Büyükanit are willing to go to court in relation to allegations of coup plans which have become public in a diary alleged to belong to journalist Balbay.

Iraqi president talks about a joint call to PKK rebels to give up armed struggle. PKK dismisses the possibility to participate at the conference.

Data from the Turkish Statistical Institute shows that the deepening of the crisis has caused an increase in unemployment. In December 2008 alone, 533,000 people lost their jobs.

The Open Society Institute has announced that it will sponsor projects by primary and middle school teachers that are designed to develop their knowledge and skills.