What stuck most in mind after Republican Rallies was how many women had taken part. We have asked women about their thoughts on AKP, after the partys landslide in elections. Some fear sharia, while others say there is nothing to be frightened of.

The election results have been finalised. There will be 549 MPs in the 23rd parliament. 341 from the AKP, 112 from the CHP, and 70 from the MHP. There are 26 independent candidates.

Two men who had been caught firing shots during the 40th day commemoration mass for murdered journalist Hrant Dink have been released, despite their statements that they were targeting Armenian Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan.

Human rights activists claim that the amendments to the Law on Powers and Tasks of the Police have led to an increase in torture. The law legitimises random detentions and the use of force.

Nevertheless, the real struggle begins only now. The damaging actions of the last AKP government and the absence of a meaningful opposition are not forgotten, and lessons have certainly been learned.

The European Court of Human Rights is going to hear the appeals of former Kayseri mayor Sükrü Karatepe, who has been convicted of inciting hatred and hostility and of Ziya Ulusoy, who had been sentenced to 16 months imprisonment.

Having arised victorious from the elections Prime Minister Erdogan vowes to promote pro-Western, business friendly ideals and promises to work for peace while remaining ready for any contingency operation to protect the motherland.

Yet another local journalist, Umut Karakoyun in Tunceli, has been affected by Article 301. Karakoyun is being tried for claiming judiciary bias. Hes tried for criticizing the local administrator.

Many people focus on the AKPs political victory, but environmental engineers are lamenting another five years of AKP rule. Since 2002, there has been no improvement of environmental standards and Turkey has slipped in international ranking.

The plight of Turkish conscientious objector Osman Murat Ülke has drawn the attention of Amnesty International which has issued an urgent action call on its website. Should Ülke be rearrested, he will be considered a prisoner of conscience.

Abdullah Gül has hinted at a renewed candidacy for president after the election results. However, in our street survey we found that even those who voted for the AKP are not particularly interested in the office of president.

The Turkey Journalists Society has awarded this years Freedom of Press Prize to Hrant Dink, Ragip Zarakolu and Gülcin Cayligil. The Turkey Journalists Syndicate also received an award for its efforts on behalf of journalists.

Referring to the election success of the AKP, Abdullah Gül has spoken of the peoples will and hinted at a renewed candidacy for president. Prof. Dr. Sancar believes this is a tactic of initial attack followed by compromise.

Conscientious objector Osman Murat Ülke is facing a new prison sentence for his continuing refusal to do military service. International human rights groups have launched an Internet campaign. Turkey has not kept its promise to revise its legislation.

The people had made their decision clear in last Sundays egeneral elections. I hope all parties would respect the results and act accordingly said MFA Gul. He was the ruling AKPs candidate for the presidency which was obstructed and led to elections.

The ECHR has decreed that Turkey made undemocratic decisions in the banning of the Yedinci Gündem newspaper in emergency law regions, and in the case of YDP leader Hasan Celal Güzel.

After finally emerging, Baykal has declared that he will not resign. He spoke of an effective election campaign and congratulated the AKP. He also accused the independent Thousand Hope parliamentarians of practicing ethnic discrimination.

Soon the international RSF will rank the worlds countries according to their degree of freedom of the press. Ironically, today is the 99th anniversary of the abolishment of censorship in Turkey.

We have asked people in the street about the election results. Some want Baykal to follow Agars example and resign. Some interpret the MHPs success as temporary. There are those who believe that the AKP bought votes and others...

The CHP needs to reevaluate its position after the election results. Dr. Tanju Tosun calls on the base to reinvent the party as a liberal, democratic and labour-near party.